In the time period of the 1600s to the 1800s Great Britain had many political innovations and new ideas on how governments should be run. This took place especially during the Enlightenment Period. Many people put forth their ideas to the world at this time. Britain’s political innovation and enlightenment ideas led to the type of governments accepted today. During the Enlightenment Period, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were two people that set forth the ways they thought a government should be run. They both had very conflicting views. Thomas Hobbes believed in a absolute monarchy. He believe that people were cruel and greedy and that without a powerful and strict government they would not follow laws. He believed that for people to escape this dreadful life, they entered a social contract, or an agreement of giving up their freedom for an organized society. John Locke, on the other hand, believed in the complete opposite. He believed that people were reasonable and that …show more content…
Montesquieu strongly dislikes Hobbes’ idea of an absolute monarchy, but doesn’t necessarily agree with Locke’s ideas either. He promotes the idea of separation of powers. He said the best way to protect liberty was to divide the functions and powers of a government into three branches. He also believes in checks and balances, so that no one branch could ever rule over another. Jean-Jacques Rousseau believes, much like Locke, that people in their natural state were good. He puts forth all of his ideas in The Social Contract. He believes that society puts too many limitations on people’s behaviors. He does understand some more serious matters and controls that are necessary, but thinks they should be minimal. He put his faith in general will, or the best conscience of the people. He believes in people and that we be smart with our