Important Thinkers Influencing American Political Theory
John Locke: Second Treatise on Civil Government (1690) (late 17th century during England's "Glorious Revolution") |
Men set up governments in order to protect their property Natural Rights: Life, liberty, and property
Natural right to rebellion: A government that oversteps its proper function becomes a tyranny. Rebellion can be avoided if government respects the right of its citizens and if the people defend their liberties.
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Baron de Montesquieu: The Spirit of Laws(1748) |
Checks and balances; separation of powers among 3 branches of gov’t Despotism could be avoided if political power were divided and shared by a diversity of classes and orders holding unequal rights and privileges.
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Adam Smith: Wealth of Nations (1776)
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Most significant work on capitalism ever written; founded modern economics; Formulated the idea of a free economy; contrasted sharply with mercantilism
Free competition, via private enterprise, would result in greater income for everyone, not just the rich.
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Remember my story from class. My power to pour the last and final Coke was
checked by my younger sisters power to choose which glass she wanted.
Result POUR THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT IN BOTH GLASSES!!!
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