Name: _______________________
Period: _______________________
______ / 10
Assignment Giving on Monday, December 1st and Due Friday, December 5th
U NIT 4 C ONSTRUCTED R ESPONSE H OMEWORK
Directions:
In constructed response format, answer the question below. This is a quiz grade and a
thoughtful, well-researched, and constructed response is necessary to earn all the points possible. All
parts of the question must be answered. Use your class notes and the information on the back to
generate your response. Re-read your final work when finished.
1. Compare and contrast the governmental philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. What are
their core beliefs? What were these men’s beliefs on human nature and society? What would these
men say about United States government today?
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T WO T YPES OF G OVERNMENTS
Hobbes v. Locke
T HOMAS H OBBES - E NGLAND 1651
J OHN L OCKE – E NGLAND 1689
What would these two men say about...
Thomas Hobbes says…
John Locke says…
“…I believe governments function best
when one person is in full control.
People are too greedy and selfish to
trust, therefore, a strong, centralized
government in which an absolute
monarch or dictator controls all aspects
of society is needed for these crazy and
un-trustworthy citizens.”
“…I believe the best kind of
governments are established when the
citizens of the nation have a fair say in
decision making. Democracies and
constitutional monarchies such as the
one right here in this great country of
England are perfect examples for the rest
of the world.”
2. The Role of
Government
on Society:
“…Government MUST control
everything! Where you live, what you
eat, the price of bread at the
supermarket…everything! If you put
these decisions in the hands of regular
people, the society will fall apart.”
“…the only thing government is good
for, is for the protection of its dutiful
citizens. Citizens can be trusted and their
rights are given to them at birth.
Government must stay out of our lives.
We need a police force, fire force, and a
military to protect us from foreign
invasion…but THAT’S IT!
3. The Way
People are
Put Into
Office:
“…power comes to those who rise to the
top. These men must be strong-willed,
confident, well-spoken, and charismatic.
It doesn’t matter if they are well-liked.
This isn’t a beauty or popularity contest.
This is your country we are talking
about here!”
“…oh that’s an easy one…governmental
officials must be voted on to be put into
office. May the best man win!
But...if these men do not fulfill their
obligations, the citizens of the state have
the duty to revolt against their
government. ”
1. The Best
Kind of
Government:
4. Human
Nature:
“…oh where do I begin? Selfish, greedy,
“…overall, people can be and must be
egotistical. These are all things that I
trusted. People are given their Natural
have researched and found throughout
Rights at birth and they cannot be taken
history to be true of every human-being.
away from them. A society thrives on
Just look at that Oliver Cromwell. Wins
trust, love, and compassion. Adhere to
the English Civil War, gets a little bit of
this my friends and your community will
power, and before you know it…no
prosper.”
Christmas! So typical!”