Thinkers
Thomas Hobbs
1588-1679 - believed humans naturally selfish and absolute sovereign can prevent society from chaos
Fair Taxation
king cannot collect taxes randomly and taxation has to be approved by the council
Establishment of a Council
king has to have a council
1215
Magna Carta signed by King John of Britain
John Locke
1632-1704- believed natural rights (life, liberty, & property),right to overthrow unjust government
Protection of Church Rights
guaranteed freedom & rights of the Church, & operate independently without royal interference
Limitation of Royal Power
Restrict the kings ability, he must govern according to law
1297
Becomes a part of English law under King Edward I
Jean- Jacques Rousseau
1712-1778 - believed direct democracy, people naturally good but society corrupts them
Limits on Feudal Payments
regulated payments & services owed by nobles to their lords, preventing excessive demands
1689
Influence the English Bill of Rights
Voltaire
1694-1778 - Freedom of speech & religion, religious tolerance, religion separate from government & state
Justice and Legal Rights
Right to a fair trial, protection from unlawful imprisonment
1776
Inspires the Declaration of Independence
Baron de Montesquieu
1689 - 1755 - 3 branches of government, can check and limit each others power, no one above the law
Protection of Property
protected the inheritance rights of heirs & prevented the king from seizing property unlawfully
1789
Influences the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen