English/1632-1704 John Locke natural rights John Locke Social Contract John Locke People give up some freedom to the government for protection of their lives, property, and liberty social contract Constitution "we the people" social contract natural rights John Locke rights that belong to all humans by birth, unalienable- life, liberty, property natural rights Declaration of Independence natural rights French/1689-1755 Baron Montesquieu checks and balances and separation of powers Baron Montesquieu each part of government can be over ridden by another so that no one part becomes to powerful checks and balances president can veto, congress can impeach, court can declare a law unconstitional checks and balances can protect against the abuse of power of government separation of powers French/1694-1778 Francois Marie Voltaire freedom of speech Francois Marie Voltaire three branches of government separation of powers freedom to speak your mind until you infringe on another's rights freedom of speech Bill of Rights "First Amendment" freedom of speech Swiss/1712-1778 Jean Jacques Rousseau common good and consent of the governed Jean Jacques Rousseau people naturally obey laws common good most people obey laws because obeying is in everyone's best interest common good people have a say in government consent of the governed voting and elections consent of the governed political authority that rest with the people popular sovereignty influences on American Democracy
Philosophers 