The Enlightenment

… Nor is there liberty if the power of judging is not separate from legislative power and from executive power. If it were joined to legislative power, the power over the life and liberty of the citizens would be arbitrary, for the judge would be the legislator. If it were joined to executive power, the judge could have the force of an oppressor.…

—Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws

Which principle is best supported by this excerpt?

• Separation of Powers

• Divine Right

• Universal Suffrage

• Self Determination

“If man in the state of nature is free, if he is absolute lord of his own person and possessions, why will he give up his freedom? Why will he put himself under the control of any person or institution? The obvious answer is that rights in the state of nature are constantly exposed to the attack of others. Since every man is equal and since most men do not concern themselves with equity and justice, the enjoyment of rights in the state of nature is unsafe and insecure. Hence each man joins in society with others to preserve his life, liberty, and property.”

— John Locke, Two Treatises of Government, 1690

What problem does John Locke identify in this passage?

• In a state of nature, man is unsafe and insecure

• Lack of liberty in a direct democracy

• Lack of employment

• Concentration of power by an absolute monarch

[When] the legislature shall . . . grasp [for] themselves, or put into the hands of any other, an absolute power over their lives, liberties, and estates of the people, . . . they forfeit the power the people had put into their hands for quite contrary ends, and it [passes] to the people, who have a right to resume their original liberty. . . .

— John Locke, Two Treatises on Civil Government

Which idea is expressed in this passage?

• The people should give up their liberty to create an orderly society.

• People have the right to rebel if their natural rights are denied.

• Governments should be obeyed regardless of their actions.

• Liberty can only be guaranteed in a direct democracy.

“When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates [government officials], there can be no liberty; because apprehensions [fears] may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws to execute them in a tyrannical manner. . . .”

— Baron de Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws

What problem (issue) does Baron de Montesquieu identify in this passage?

• Concentration of power

• Lack of natural rights

• Technological advancements

• Direct democracy

. . . The Laws ought to be so framed, as to secure the Safety of every Citizen as much as possible.

. . . The Equality of the Citizens consists in this; that they should all be subject to the same Laws. . . .

- Documents of Catherine the Great, W. F. Reddaway, ed., Cambridge University Press (adapted)

These ideas of Catherine the Great of Russia originated during the

• Age of Exploration

• Age of Enlightenment

• Protestant Reformation

• French Revolution