philosophical framework of american government
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Philosophical Framework of American Government. Political philosopher’s that impacted the Framer’s of the Constitution. Brainstorming. What might be some advantages & disadvantages to living in a state of nature? What rights would you expect to have in a state of nature? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Philosophical Framework of
American GovernmentPolitical philosopher’s that impacted the Framer’s of the
Constitution.
Brainstorming
• What might be some advantages & disadvantages to living in a state of nature?
• What rights would you expect to have in a state of nature?
• Would anyone have the right to govern you? Would you have the right to govern anyone else?
Who is John Locke?
• 1632-1704 in England• Father served in English Civil
War • Educated: Masters degree• Political Beliefs: Liberal
– Whigs• Experiences:
– Enlightenment– Glorious Revolution
• Accomplishments:– Second Treatise on
Government.– An Essay Concerning Human
Understanding– Fundamental Constitution of
the Carolina’s
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Locke’s Influence• Political philosophy later influenced:
– Jean-Jacques Rousseau– Immanuel Kant– Framer’s of Constitution
• Revolutionary ideas impacted:– American Revolution– French Revolution
Locke’s Political Thinking
• Government must be accountable to the people.
• Purpose of government is to preserve natural rights.
• A government must consist of institutions and the legally prescribed process for making and enforcing collective agreements.
• An absolute monarchy is inconsistent with the purpose of government.
• When government misuses power & authority, the people have the right to revolt.
Second Treatise On Government
• Written in 1689.• Why was it written?
– To defend the Glorious Revolution of 1688.• Supported a limited monarchy.• Supported English Bill of Rights.
– To counter thinking of Thomas Hobbes.• Human nature is good and reasonable,
but may be driven by self-interest.
A key to John Locke
• Inalienable Rights: rights that cannot be taken away from anyone (free speech)
• Equality: The belief that all persons, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, age, etc. have the same rights as everyone else.
• Questions to consider:– What is happening in this
painting?– How does this painting
relate to the concept of inalienable rights? Equality?
“The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which treats everyone equally…[B]eing equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, or possessions.”
-John Locke
A Key to John Locke• Limited Government: A
government that does not have absolute authority.
• Consent of the Governed: The political theory that government’s gain their authority from the people. A government is not legitimate if the people do not give their consent.
“Whensoever…the [government] shall…put into the hands of any other an absolute power over the lives, liberty, and estates of the people, by this breach of trust they forfeit the power [of] the people…who have a right to resume their original liberty, and by the establishment of the new [government] provide for their own safety and security.”
-John Locke
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Question to Consider:
What is happening in this picture and how does it relate to the topic of limited government?
Key to John Locke
• State of Nature: a state of perfect freedom where people do as they see fit within the bounds of the law of nature. (Problem is self-interest causes conflict!)
• Law of Nature: a state of equality, where people have the same advantages, use of same authority; in which the rights of men are not invaded by others. (utopia)
• “And that all men may be restrained from invading others rights, and from doing hurt to one another, and the law of nature be observed, which willeth the peace & preservation of all mankind, the execution of the law of nature is in that state put in every man’s hands…
-John Locke
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A Key to John Locke
• Social Contract: An agreement among men to create and live under government & give that government the power to make & enforce laws.– Government only exists when
people choose to resign their state of nature and create it.
– Government gets it’s power & authority from the people.
• “…he authorizes the society, or which is all one, the legislative thereof, to make laws for him, as the public good of the society shall require…and puts men out of a state of nature into that of a common-wealth, by setting up a judge on earth, with authority to determine all the controversies, and redress the injuries that may happen…”
John Locke
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Questions to consider:• How does this photo communicate Locke’s belief about human nature? •In regards to the government of Iraq, if there is a social contract between the citizens and the government, why is
there still conflict?
Reflection on Locke’s Philosophy
• What questions do you have?