This essay discusses the covenant between the American citizen and the government.
It is divided in four major parts. The first part, which is undeniably the introduction; discusses the place of the citizen in a civil society. The American society is a society based on the vision of four main philosophers of the Enlightenment Era. The combination of their visions generated the Constitution of the United States in which the government's power is tremendously restrained toward the individual liberties of the citizens. The second part of the essay elaborates the motivations and elements of what constitutes American individualism and the limits of individual liberties. As we know, American individualism is the cultural philosophy that guides the American people and their perception of life. The third part of the essay reflects on the government's obligations toward the citizen and the popular sovereignty of the people. The last part of the essay discloses the conclusion.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Citizen in a Civil Society
- Thomas Hobbes
- Charles de Secondat Montesquieu
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- John Locke
- Introducing American Individualism
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the historical origins and influences that shaped American society. It examines the philosophies of key Enlightenment thinkers - Thomas Hobbes, Charles de Secondat Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke - and their impact on the development of American political thought and the role of the citizen in a civil society.
- The concept of the state of nature and its implications for civil society
- The importance of separation of powers and checks and balances in safeguarding individual liberty
- The role of the citizen in government and the extent of their participation in political decision-making
- The evolution of individualism as a defining characteristic of American society
- The contrast between individualistic and collectivist societies
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the stage by highlighting the importance of understanding the historical roots of American society. It underscores the significance of examining the state of nature as a theoretical construct that informed Enlightenment philosophers' views on the relationship between individuals and government.
The chapter on "The Citizen in a Civil Society" delves into the contributions of four key Enlightenment thinkers: Thomas Hobbes, Charles de Secondat Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke. Each philosopher's perspective on the state of nature and the role of the citizen in a civil society is explored, highlighting their individual contributions to the American political system.
Hobbes's radical views on the state of nature and his concept of a sovereign ruler are examined, contrasting them with the Framers' principles of separation of powers and checks and balances. Montesquieu's emphasis on the importance of separation of powers and his understanding of citizenship in a republican system are discussed. Rousseau's theory of the general will and its embodiment in the legislative branch are analyzed, emphasizing the power of the citizen through voting. Lastly, Locke's Second Treatise of Government and his emphasis on the natural rights of individuals are examined, illustrating the foundation of American civil society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key concepts explored in the essay include the state of nature, civil society, separation of powers, checks and balances, citizenship, individual liberty, individualism, collectivism, and the relationship between the citizen and the government. The philosophies of Thomas Hobbes, Charles de Secondat Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke are central to the discussion, and their theories on the nature of government and individual rights provide a foundation for understanding American political thought.
- Quote paper
- Germinal Van (Author), 2018, The People & the Government. An analysis of the American society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/419313
