Transcript Social Contract theory

POL 101:
Responsible Citizenship
Democratic Theory
Democratic Theory
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
What is democratic theory?
Hobbes
Locke
Rousseau
Impact on modern politics?
What is democratic theory?
• History of the United States is founded on
common theoretical concepts
• Founding Fathers argued about which concepts
should guide governance
• The ideas of state of nature, purpose of
government, representation, and social contract
theory continue to impact views on government
in today’s society.
What is democratic theory?
State of Nature – what humans were like before
government and laws; pre-societal humans.
Social Contract theory – what agreement people
had in joining together for governance; purpose
of government
Thomas Hobbes
• The state of nature is a state of war. No morality
exists. Everyone lives in constant fear. Because
of this fear, no one is really free, but, since even
the “weakest” could kill the “strongest,” men
ARE equal.
• The purpose of government is to impose law and
order to prevent the state of war.
• Governments are designed to control, not
necessarily represent.
Thomas Hobbes
• Authority necessary and needed…state of nature
is BAD; we need a social contract to prevent
massive issues within society.
• “That every man out to endeavor peace as far as
he has hope to obtaining it, and when he cannot
obtain it, that he may seek, and use, all helps and
advantages of war” (Hobbes’ reasoning for
government)
John Locke
• Men exist in the state of nature in perfect
freedom to do what they want. The state of
nature is not necessarily good or bad. It is
chaotic. So, men do give it up to secure the
advantages of civilized society.
• The purpose of government is to secure natural
rights, namely man’s property and liberty.
• Representation ensures that governments are
responsive to the people. Representation is a
safeguard against oppression.
John Locke
• Social contract is designed for protection of
rights, liberty, property.
• “Life, liberty, and pursuit of property are proper
roles of man.” (Locke’s reasoning for
government)
Jean Jacques Rousseau
• Men in a state of nature are free and equal. In a
state of nature, men are “Noble Savages”.
Civilization is what corrupted him.
• The purpose of government is to bring people into
harmony, to unite them under the “General Will”.
• Representation is not enough. Citizens cannot
delegate their civic duties. They must be actively
involved. More direct democracy to enact the will
of the people (“General Will”).
Jean Jacques Rousseau
• To Rousseau the social contract should include
Direct democracy; government needed to divide
up goods and create equality.
• “Man is free but everywhere he is in chains”
(Rousseau’s interpretation of social contract and
removal of state of nature).
Impact on modern politics?
Political continuum
Liberal
Liberal/Moderate
Rousseau
Locke
Anarchy
• Impact
Conservative
Hobbes
Police State
on the views that shape our goals of
government along the political continuum.
Impact on modern politics?
Hobbes viewed government as a needed protection of the people from
themselves; modern arguments used for Food and Drug Administration,
seat-belt laws, smoking laws, drug prohibitions.
Locke believed that government as needed to protect inalienable rights;
modern arguments used for civil liberties and civil rights that include
security questions about the Patriot Act, 2nd Amendment rights, and Prolife positions.
Rousseau viewed government as responsive to the people; movements
for term limits, less government, direct democracy, and public education.