Social 30-1: Important people

Thomas Hobbes

Believed people were inherently evil, believed in an absolute monarchy or similar style of government, since human couldn't be trusted to make decisions on their own.

John Maynard Keynes

Believed that classical liberal economic theory was based on a fundamental error, and believed that people and government should save during "booms" and spend during "busts" in order to stabilize the economy.

Karl Marx

Argued that only workers should benefit from their labor. Believed capitalism was flawed and advocated socialist economy. Granddaddy of communism :)

Margaret Thatcher

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. Implemented policies which followed the trickle-down (supply side) economic theory, and limited government control in the economy. Governing style was very similar to Ronald Reagan.

John Locke

Philosopher; Opposed the authoritarianism of the Church and the state, believed that individuals should use logic to make their own decisions, and should have to right to own land. Also believed that people should give up some of their natural rights to a gov for security purposes. Believed that gov was directly responsible to its people.

Montesquieu

Philosopher; believed in the worth of the individual, the equality of individuals, and the accountability of the gov. Believed in separation of powers. Advocated democracy.

Tommy Douglas

Member of Parliament from 1935 - 1944. Believed that every Canadian deserved the right to have quality health care, regardless of their economic or social situation.

Joseph McCarthy

A US Senator who led a movement against all things communists and sought out communist sympathizers working within the US government.

Joseph Stalin

Leader of communist Russia from 1929 - 1953

Robert Owen

Philosopher/Utopian Socialist; Disagreed with Laissez-faire economics, created a village called New Lanark where the workers shared in the profits of the mills.

Adam Smith

Philosopher; "Father of Capitalism," believed in a free market economy and created the term "invisible hand." Believed that if everyone worked first of foremost towards for their own benefit, society as a whole would benefit.

John Stuart Mill

Philosopher; Believed that people should be free to do what they want as long as they didn't harm others. He also advocated free speech.

Ronald Reagan

President of the United States from 1981-1989, during the end of the cold war. Tried to reduce gov involvement in economy and implemented trickle-down economic policies. Governing style very similar to Margret Thatcher.

Harry Truman

US President 1945 - 1953, during the last months of World War II. Dropped atomic bomb on Japan, ending WWII.

Adolf Hitler

was the fascist leader of Germany from 1933 to 1945. He was leader of the Nazi party and became a powerful dictator.