Hobbes and Locke

Which philosopher wrote 'Leviathan' as a defense of the absolute power of kings?

• Thomas Hobbes

• John Locke

• Charles Montesquieu

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

What is the main purpose of government according to Montesquieu?

• To maintain law and order, political liberty, and the property of the individual

• To impose absolute power of kings

• To promote commerce and protect property

• To enforce the general will of the people

Rousseau believed that the general will of the people could not be decided by elected representatives. What form of government did he advocate for?

• Direct democracy

• Absolute monarchy

• Representative democracy

• Oligarchy

According to Locke, the natural rights of individuals limited the power of the ___.

Montesquieu's theory of separation of powers was later adopted as the foundation of which country's constitution?

Of the four philosophers discussed in this article, which two do you think differed the most? Why?

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Analyzing

Rousseau wrote in The Social Contract, 'As soon as any man says of the affairs of the State ‘What does it matter to me?’ the State may be given up for lost.' What do you think he meant? How do you think his words relate to American democracy today?

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Understanding