Philosopher Analysis
American Government
Directions: Do not write on this paper. Put your answers on a separate sheet of notebook paper. Use
the article, “Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau on Government” to answer questions #1-10.
1. What does Hobbes say mankind would be like in a state of nature without any government?
2. What types of government did Hobbes believe would be best?
3. What two things did Locke disagree with Hobbes about?
4. What type of government did Locke believe would be best?
5. How was Montesquieu’s view of the state of nature different from Hobbes?
6. What did Montesquieu say was the best form of government?
7. What did Rousseau agree with Locke about?
8. According to Rousseau, what was the best form of government?
9. Of the four philosophers, which two do you think differed the most? Why?
10. Which philosopher do you agree with the most? Why?
Use your notes and what you learned from the articles to help you answer questions #11-15.
11. Rousseau wrote, “The social pact … includes this engagement … that whoever refused to obey the
general will shall be constrained to do so by the whole body”. What does this statement mean (Hint: think
about which theory Rousseau supports and what it means)?
12. Hobbes wrote, “During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in a
condition which is called war”. He describes this as the state of nature. Why does Hobbes say people need a
social contract?
13. Locke says, “reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, that being all equal and independent, no one
ought to harm another in life, liberty or possessions … Men living together according to reason, without a
common superior on earth … is properly the state of nature”. In this quote, Locke is describing his theory.
What is his theory and what does it mean?
14. Montesquieu wrote “When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the
same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty … Again, there is no liberty if the judiciary power be not
separated from the legislative and executive”. What theory does this describe and what does it mean?
15. Which philosopher do you believe made the most important contribution to our government? You must
include the philosopher AND his political philosophy in your answer. Support your answer by explaining the
political philosophy and why you think it is important.