ENLIGHTENMENT
THINKERS:
FRAMING & FOUNDING
LIKE A BOSS.
THOMAS
HOBBES
• Man is naturally wicked
• Needs government to control man and
ensure we don’t treat each other poorly
• SOCIAL CONTRACT: Give up some
freedoms in exchange for security
JOHN LOCKE
• Takes social contract step further
• Influences Jefferson
• Considered “Framer” of the United
States Constitution
• Difference between “framer” vs.
“founder”
• All people are equal
• Natural Rights
– Life, liberty, property
– Gov’t needs to protect this
– But gov’t should also be
limited
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU
• Wrote “Spirit of Laws”
• Separation of powers
• Influences Jefferson greatly
Jean- Jaqcues Rousseau
• Published in first
encyclopedia (Diderot)
• Takes social contract
EVEN FURTHER!
– Need to have a gov’t
ruled through popular
sovereignty
– Gov’t can make and
enforce laws citizens
must follow