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Enlightenment in Politics. Thomas Hobbes People are naturally greedy and selfish. Believed in Divine Right Kings have been given the right to rule by God. Without a strong government, people would behave badly and their “lives would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”.
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Enlightenment in Politics • Thomas Hobbes • People are naturally greedy and selfish. • Believed in Divine Right • Kings have been given the right to rule by God. • Without a strong government, people would behave badly and their “lives would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”. • You conceded your rights to the government, in return for your life. • The people have no right to rebel against the government.
Enlightenment in Politics • John Locke • Humans are naturally good. • Opposed Divine Right • All people possess certain Natural Rights. • Life, Liberty, and Property • If government doesn’t protect these rights, the people need to revolt.
Enlightenment Thinkers • Rousseau • “Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains” • Some gov’t control is necessary but it should be minimal • If gov’t didn’t do its job, people should revolt • The good of the community should come before the individual • Women need to be educated to be good mothers
Enlightenment Thinkers • Voltaire • "I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” • Distrusted democracy • Believed only an enlightened monarch, advised by philosophers like him, could bring about change • Believed in freedom of religion
Enlightenment Thinkers • Montesquieu • Gov’ts power needs to be checked • System of Checks and Balances • Separation of Powers • 3 Branches of Gov’t
Enlightenment Thinkers • Mary Wollstonecraft • Women aren’t inferior to men, they just lack the educational opportunities • Men and Women should be equal • Society should see people reasonably not by raceor gender. • Argued that society trains women to be concerned with looks instead of contributing to society