Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau Flashcards
(26 cards)
Hobbes
Theorized that at one time when no government existed, there was a period of complete anarchy, chaos, violence, and destruction.
Hobbes
Naturally selfish. People cared about others only when they could be of use to him. (an alliance)
Hobbes
Governments had to be backed up by swords
Locke
Man is essentially reasonable, intelligent, and rational
Locke
The purpose of government is to protect man and foster individual rights and liberties
Rousseau
People are inherenty good, but corrupted by civilization and society
Rousseau
Opposed the odea of representative democracy; instead favoured the idea of citizens making laws directly.
Locke
the most individualist
Hobbes
the most collectivist
Rousseau
a mix of individualism and collectivism
Locke
government gains power throught the freely given consent of the people, no one can rule over another man without his consent
Hobbes
because the power of government is absolute, society is:
- maintained out of fear
- resistance to the sovereign is almost never justified
- the sovereign has almost complete and unlimited authority
Hobbes
the condition of man is a condition of war of everyone against everyone
Locke
The end of the law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom
Rousseau
if there were a nation of gods it would govern itself democratically. A government so perfect is not suited to men.
Hobbes
security over freedom always
Rousseau
we need to come together and share our resources; everyone should have the right to help decide the rules of the commuity, but once that general will has been decided it will need to be strictly enforced.
Locke
Supports representaive democracy. His ideas influenced the American constitution
Rousseau
the pursuit of private property corrupts people
Hobbes
Need for a strong, central power
Locke
need to separate church and state
Hobbes
better to fear one tyrant than all of your neighbours
Hobbes
I put for the general inclination of all minkind, a perpetual and restless desire of power after power, that ceaseth only in death
Hobbes
During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition called war; and such war, as if every man, against every man.
