Influences on US Government

The condition of people living in a situation without man-made government, rules, or laws.

• State of Nature

• Social Contract

English scholar and philosopher who introduced the concept of the state of nature and the social contract. He believed a strong central government was necessary to protect people.

• Thomas Hobbes

• Baron de Montesquieu

The arrangement where people agree to give up certain rights and freedoms for government protection.

• Social Contract

• Majority Rule

English philosopher and political scientist who introduced the tabula rasa and natural rights.

• John Locke

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The belief that people are born with a "blank slate" which gets filled through life experiences.

• Tabula Rasa

• Natural Freedom

Life, Liberty, and Property.

• Natural Rights

• Social Freedom

French aristocrat who promoted separation of powers and a system of checks and balances .

• Baron de Montesquieu

• John Locke

Government divided into parts, and each part with its own purpose.

• Separation of Powers

• Consent of the Governed

The ability of each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches.

• Checks and Balances

• General Will

French musician and philosopher that promoted democracy through the general will of the people and majority rule.

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Thomas Hobbes