Political philosophy

John Locke’s philosophies are characterized as one of the first forms of liberalism. His political thought was a source for the founding principles of the United States. Locke’s philosophies advocate liberty, equality and freedom from oppressive government. Yet, in The Second Treatise on Civil Government, Locke justifies the colonization and disempowerment of Native Americans and Africans in his discussions of freedom, property and slavery. In The Racial Contract, Charles W. Mills exposes the…

Two people who have impacted the way that government is run are John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. These two individuals are characterized as “The Founders of Modern Political Science,” which is a science derived from philosophical thinkers like Hobbes and Locke that involved system of governance. It also deals with the analysis of political activities, thoughts, and behavior within the structure of government. Both Hobbes and Locke prefer a type of popular contract or agreement. Having one of these…

1. On the U.S. Political System, a Liberal believes in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. Liberalism is a political ideology that believes that discriminatory practices must be eliminated and that the impact of great equalities of wealth needs to be lessened. Liberals favor governmental and social reform, controlled by the government. They like the government's involvement in protecting the environment and guaranteeing rights. The policies of a Liberal generally…

influential figures in American history, did not agree on the best way to construct the foundation of the United States’ government. Locke and Madison had contrasting perspectives regarding American citizenship including their views on human nature, and political and economic systems. John Locke’s view point in regards to human nature is that people are, by nature, social animals. His arguments are based on the Law of Nature, the basis of all morality, which is the belief that people should be…

Herbert Hoover’s philosophy about the function of the federal government was individualist in nature as well, meaning that he viewed a decentralized federal government with most of the day to day intervention being in the jurisdiction of the local and state governments. He was distinctly against the communist and socialist ideas that were spreading through Europe creating centralised authoritarian governments. Instead his individualist mentality resulted in a response through decentralized…

rights to life, liberty and property (Powell, 1996). Locke is known as a political philosopher largely. He sounded the battle cry that men possess naturally certain rights. He preached this doctrine that we have a right to life and freedom and property. He preached that the government only had power when the people consented to it. Because of his teachings, his ideas have had a tremendous effect on our current political thinking, as well as, the future. Locke’s teachings are reflected in…

Political Juggernauts: Power vs. Freedom The environment around us has a profound effect as we age from adolescents to adulthood because of the subtle lessons we learn in life. Two historical figures almost everyone has heard of, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, were both early American political figures that wanted to make the country distinguished, but in remarkably different ways. These two individuals were differing fundamentalists of government which instigated them to form the…

France During the 18th century, new political ideas greatly influenced the French revolution, which was the turning point in French history. Indeed, one of the most important and influential philosophers ever named John Locke (1632-1704) had a profound impact on French thinkers and the revolution. French philosophers of the Enlightenment took Locke as a model. He was the promoter of a political philosophy based on the concept of natural law where all men collectively elect a government to…

How classic and modern liberalism differ in their understanding of human nature and their understanding of how social and political life should be organized? Liberalism is defined as the political identify and whose main goal is to strengthen and guard the freedom of an individual. Liberalism is a belief in the support of the supreme importance of the human individual. John Locke is known as the father of liberalism. Liberal values can be traced back to as early as ancient times of Rome and…

comprehend the arguments made throughout the text. Conceivably, this introductory explanation will substantiate what follows the review / critique. Prior to beginning the reading of Anarchy, State, and Utopia, a look at the circumstances – both political and social – that Robert Nozick was writing in could go towards endeavoring to understand the intent behind the text. A few years subsequent to the release of Anarchy, State, and Utopia, the…