The Origins of State & the Social Contract Theory
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
James Madison

Put yourself back into the deepest depths of time where humans lived in complete & unbridled freedom – a time that was void of any government existence altogether. A time that was pre-modern society & before the idea of government even existed – but not without one’s own morals & values.
BRAINSTORM
1.)
‘ WHY do (did) people create governments?’ & ‘What
PURPOSE does government serve in society?’
2.)
‘Where did we (Western society) get our IDEAS ABOUT
GOVERNMENT ?’
3.)
‘How do you INFLUENCE the government?’ & ‘How do governments INTERACT with their people?’

INTRODUCTION Who were these dudes?

 The STATE OF NATURE , ‘natural law’ & ‘natural
rights’
STATE OF NATURE ‘…hypothetical condition of what the lives of people might have been like before societies came into existence’

SUMMARY
HOBBES: SON was BAD!
State of war – LEAD TO… “WHY GOVERNMENT?”
SUMMARY
LOCKE: SON wasn’t
THAT BAD! Conflict was inevitable – LEAD TO…
HOBBES & LOCKE
…on the STATE OF NATURE – EQUALITY REIGNS, BUT…

“WHY GOVERNMENT?”
SUMMARY
LOCKE: …was ON POINT!
HOBBES & LOCKE
…& the SOCIAL CONTRACT

HOBBES & LOCKE
…& the SOCIAL CONTRACT
State of
Nature!
Natural
Rights
Infringed…
Individuals
Come
Together…
Enter into the SOCIAL
CONTRACT
…with philosophical differences between LOCKE & HOBBES!
‘…give up complete freedom
for the protection of rights!’

“WHY GOVERNMENT?”

“WHY GOVERNMENT?”
“ POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY ”
HOBBES & LOCKE
…on the GOVERNMENT

Thomas Hobbes & John Locke – “Who Would Agree?”
‘There are no laws in the state of nature and people are constantly at war with one another.’
‘Government is needed to create laws, protect people and provide services for society.’
‘Government exists to protect the life, liberty and private property
of individuals throughout society.’
‘A ruler should be an individual who has complete power and
should not be overthrown if society is unhappy.’
‘The only legitimate government is one that fully represents the best interests of society.’
‘If a government fails to accurately represent the people, the
people have the right to overthrow and ‘reset’ that government.’
‘A single sovereign is the best form of government for protection of the individual.’
‘Governments must be designed to protect the people from themselves.’
‘Governments must secure the Natural Rights that were given to them by God.’

LIFE Everyone is entitled to live once they are created.
LIBERTY Everyone is entitled to do anything they want to so long as it doesn't conflict with another’s right to life.
PROPERTY Everyone is entitled to own all they create or gain through gift or trade so long as it doesn't conflict with another’s right to life & liberty!
Many of the ENLIGHTENMENT ideas of LOCKE , Hobbes, Rousseau & Montesquieu would go on to influence American Revolutionaries as well as the Framers of the U.S. Constitution!