Philosophers Who Helped Shape U.S.

Government

Thomas Hobbes

• English Philosopher wrote book Leviathan • Believed in Social Contract Theory- people willing to give up

liberty in exchange for protection and order of government • Believed that people were equal under the law• Believed that people were inherently evil and does thing

out of self-interest• Believed that government was limited to doing only those

things that benefitted the people• Preferred idea of a monarchy

John Locke• Philosopher who also believed in a social contract• Wrote book Two Treatises on Government stating

that social contract between ruler and people• Believed that if government didn’t keep contract

could be overthrown by people • Idea of Natural Rights-God given rights of life,

liberty, and property

Baron de Montesquieu• Brought about the idea of separation of powers by

adding a judicial branch• Believed that in a republic, education was a

necessity• Believed that democracies were corrupt…therefore

there is a need for judiciary in a democracy