Unit 1: Political Philosophers

Aristotle

- 3 forms of government: monarchy, aristocracy, constitutional govt (favored) - needed organized govt and society where all citizens are educated and king rules fairly with guidance of philosophers

constitutional democracy

- government where limits of political authority are clearly stated - electorate has power to remove representatives - fair and competitive elections between multiple distinct political parties (eg USA)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

- wrote Discourse of the Origins of the Inequality of Mankind, and The Social Contract - people formed governments to protect property - believed that society needed to enter an agreement called a "social contract" - philosophy was that laws should protect freedom - believed in direct democracy - education should nurture, not restrict children's natural instincts

Thomas Hobbes

- wrote The Leviathan, established Social Contract theory - believed that absolute power was a necessity to preserve order within a society - far right (conservative)

Niccolo Machiavelli

- wrote The Prince, most popular book about politics ever, containing advice to politicians; - any action by a prince is justifiable, as long as it contributes to peace, prosperity, and stability of the state - "Ends justify the means" - Political actions should be judged by effects, not intrinsic actions - The prince uses judicious use of violence (no emotion) when he has to

Plato

- wrote The Republic - pupil of Socrates; distrusted democracy - govt should be ruled by a philosopher-king chosen to rule for his intelligence

John Locke

- wrote Two Treatises of Government - liberal; political theory of government by the consent of the governed as a means to protect natural rights (life, liberty and property) - views deeply influenced the United States' founding documents, inspired American and French Revolutions - essays on religious tolerance provided an early model for the separation of church and state.

Montesquieu

- wrote the Spirit of Laws - philosophy on the principals of government is the basis for "checks and balances" and the "separation of powers" - 3 government types: Republics (large states), despotism (small states), monarchies (medium states)

aristocracy

a government ruled by a small group of noble land owning families

oligarchy

a government run by a few powerful people

direct democracy

citizens rule and make laws directly, rather than through representatives (very hard to get the opinion of every single citizen in populous areas)

social contract

members of society agree to be governed by general will

anarchy

no rules or formal government

communism

one for all, all for one; share everything

despotism

one leader, absolute power, includes fear

monarchy

one leader, inherited power (divine rights)

dictatorship

one person controls, induces fear

democracy

the people vote for representatives who govern (only those with the right vote)