Political Philosophers Flashcards
Aristotle and Plato
Believed political science would lead to order in political matters and that this scientifically organized order would create stable, just societies.
Thomas Aquinas
Adapted the ideas of Aristotle to a Christian perspective. Individuals have certain rights and certain duties and that these rights and duties should determine the type and extent of government rule. Stated that laws should limit the rule of government, laid the groundwork for modern constitutionalism.
Niccolo Machiavelli
author of The Prince, was a prominent of politics based on power. Often considered the founder of modern political science
Thomas Hobbes
author of Leviathan. Believed individuals lives were based solely on a quest for power and the state must work to control this urge. People are unable to live harmoniously without a powerful, unified government.
John Locke
Argued against the ideas of Hobbes. Put forth the idea of tabula rasa - people are born with minds like blank slates. All men should be independent and equal
Montesquieu and Rousseau
French philosophers who heavily influenced the French Revolution. Believed government policies and ideas should change to alleviate existing problems. An idea referred to as liberalism.
- Individual freedom and community welfare are equally important.
- Man’s innate goodness leads to natural harmony
- Reason develops with the rise of civilized society
- Individual citizens carry certain obligations to the existing government.
David Hume and Jeremy Bentham
believed politics should have at its main goal maintaining the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Empiricism-ideas should not be believed until the proof has been observed.
John Stewart Mill
believed in progressive policies such as women’s suffrage, emancipation, and the development of labor unions and farming cooperatives.
