Molly Cox

Godwin

Sea

22 May 2018

The Enlightenment

The modern western world has been shaped by four many philosophers during the

enlightenment. These philosophers were John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Charles Montesquieu,

and Jean- Jacques Rousseau, they all had different ideas about how a good government is run

effectively. The most effective government are the ideas of Locke and Montesquieu put

together. They both agree and favor a representative government over a direct democracy or a

complete rule by a King.

Representatives are the most effective way of government. By being able to let the

people have a say while still having many different inputs on laws. Montesquieu “opposed

absolute monarchy” because he believed that there should be balance in all powers. He and

Locke both believed that English Parliament was the best, at the time, form of government.

Montesquieu said “the main purpose of government is to maintain law and order” this is why the

founding fathers choose a checks and balancing system. Throughout history people have gone

through many different forms of government, but the first maderation of the modern government

was n Greco Roman times. However, that was lost and soon Kings ruled.

Hobbes was in favor of a single ruler who had all power including the right to take away

others natural rights. This went against what Locke believed, however; during this time many

governments were ruled by a single ruler. This started to change when countries such as

England and France began to revolt against a single ruler government. Hobbes didn’t believe
that people should be able to keep their natural rights if they have a single ruler. He said that all

the power including control over everyone’s rights was the best.

Robeson was in favor of a direct democracy just like the Greeks. The only problem with

this is that there are so many people that voting would take much longer than representatives or

sovereign. The fault in the direct democracy government lies within the voting process and how

they would rule if it took too long. Although, some may say that it’s much more effective than

representation because then everyone is able to vote. This is why the best form of government

is a representative government.