Consequently, a limited government was created in response to these new thoughts. Furthermore, this new type of government was extremely revolutionary because it changed the way that the citizens had thought or viewed about the government. Two Enlightenment philosophers that influenced the creation of the government were John Locke and Montesquieu. John Locke had the belief that everyone had natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that if the government failed to protect these rights, they could be overthrown and replaced. Also, Montesquieu’s idea of the separation of powers helped shape the government.
Thomas Paine opposes the ideology of government, stating that, “Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil,” (Paine 3). Essentially, the purpose of government is to protect people from preforming vices, and defend their natural right to Locke’s ideology of life, liberty and property. Without government, coercion would occur, and destroy one’s ability to express their natural rights. For America, Paine believes that the establishment of a strong fundamental government could allow for the cohesion of citizens to form a society respected by other nations
Plato believed in democracy, but his idea of democracy put philosophers above everyone else as the decision makers. This isn 't a democracy either and resembles a monarchy with philosophers as the royalty. However, Aristotle did believe in a constitutional democracy which is the United States’ current government. Since the type of government Aristotle felt is superior is currently being used in a large power today, it makes his idea more significant. Overall, Aristotle’s way of thinking resembles current thinking in the west more so than Plato when looking at religion and reality, government, art, and
The branched cannot pass any law that is unconstitutional or against the people. Petition of Right is when they King become answerable to others and not just God. The King said they were only answerable to God. The divine right of the Kings was a very unpopular thing among the people because the King couldn't be wrong, but they didn't want to disobey the King or God. Article 1; Section 9 is an example of the many ways the Constitution limits our government.
John Locke was a classical republican, which was the belief that there was an overall good that is best for all people and that the government should have less power among the people. The liberal republicans had very similar beliefs only they represented more of the individual rights of people. The English Whigs viewed the government as iniquitous and only looking out for themselves without regards the people. John Locke and the English Whig tradition played a very important role in the ideology leading up to the American Revolution, although the revolution took place much later than Locke’s
Pericles, a key political figure of 5th century Athens states, “Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves.” The Athenians had no desire to follow what appeared as mediocre government, the Athenians pushed for the best form they could find. Arete, for Athens, meant every person had a voice in politics. Politics embraces the reason of the mind as well as the emotion of the heart. Therefore, the very essence of a good human being would lie in being a politically active person. While some, like Plato in his The Republic, thought it weak to give government into the hands of the common people, Pericles countered this argument with a compelling argument of greatness.
In “Harrison Bergeron” people aren’t truly equal. In this short story, they took equality to the next level. Most people think that equality is everyone being treated with the same amount of respect. Appearance has nothing to do with equality in today’s society. Although looking the same and having the same level of intelligence may decrease jealousy, people shouldn’t force others to change because of this.
As a democrat, Paine believed in strong state governments and Washington opposed that. Washington would do anything to make sure that a strong government-led country would survive. In spite of Washington’s efforts, Paine wrote numerous articles in which he tried to reinforce what the Declaration of Independence was actually about. He believed in a world that would focus on democratic rights other than a strong central government. Furthermore, Paine considered it to be a privilege of the country to decide its legislature, to gain individual rights, and to obtain their freedom.
John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu were political philosophers that debated the question of who was best fit to control the government. Locke and Montesquieu shared similar political beliefs such as natural rights and the separation of government powers. However, both philosophers did, in fact, have their personal views that helped them accomplish important achievements. John Locke published “Two Treatises of Government” and “ An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,” which present a detail philosophy of the mind and thought. Locke’s “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,” lays out his philosophical project.
Although Athens is credited for creating the first democracy, it was not like the modern day democracy due to the limits and restrictions of the government. It was believe by Socrates that the citizens had the right and the obligation to participate in the activities of the state and to serve the states but the state did not have to serve him. For women the right of participation was absent. They did not have the right to be involved in politics or vote. Women that were born of two Athenian parents were regarded as citizens, enjoyed some legal protecting, and had responsibilities for performing certain religious rituals of great importance for the state.