Who was the How did this What did this How would this What do you/ other

ould this What do you/ other What do you/ other

political thinker? thinker perceive of thinker think thinker’s ideal thinkers believe thinkers believe are
Where and when human nature? should be the government are the pros to this the cons to this
he he live? purpose of laws/ function in practice political political approach?
government? (ex: dictatorship/ approach?
democracy/who
should hold
power? Who makes
decisions?) ?

Socrates People are easily People should be The people that You have freedom People don’t like
convinced that what allowed to think what knew most about to do what you’d change, and if you
they know is true, they want and not be their subject should like. Refer back to questioned their
even though they punished for thinking be in charge of that second column. authority you were
haven’t asked why. differently. “Many area. “... carpenters punished. “... when
“... Socrates Athens felt that were good at Socrates was 70
demonstrated that Socrates was carpentry, and years old, one of
the people he met in dangerous and soldiers knew about them, Meletus, took
the marketplace deliberately fighting.” (3, him to court. He
didn’t really know undermining the Socrates & Plato claimed that
what they thought government.” (7, packet) Socrates was
they knew.” (2, Socrates & Plato neglecting the
Socrates & Plato packet) Athenian gods,
packet) introducing new gods
of his own.” (7,
Socrates & Plato
packet)

Plato There were 2 kinds To give the people Decisions for society Society would be in The people would
of people in the what they should would be made by a balance of social not be free to do
world: ordinary want, according to philosophers, as they statuses. “... a what they liked. “He
people, and him. “... keep the knew best. “... his balance that was would have banned
philosophers.“Ordina people under control model of society was like a well-balanced most art, on the
ry people have little by a combination of profoundly anti- mind with the grounds that he
idea about reality lies and force.” (6, democratic…” (6, reasonable part thought it gace false
 because they are Socrates and Plato Socrates and Plato keeping the representations of
content with looking packet) packet) emotions and reality.” (6, Socrates
at what’s in front of desires in control.” and Plato packet)
them…” (5, Socrates (6, Socrates and
and Plato packet) Plato packet)

Hobbes Humans are evil and We need laws to People would be There would be no Depending on who
ill natured. make sure people under the control of real fear of death the sovereign is, life
“We are all basically don’t go savage. “... one person or a (unless you step out could be restricted
selfish, driven by fear it is only the rule of group of people. of line). His state of and unfair. They
of death and the law and threat of “The individuals in nature was a kind of could inflict unfair
hope of personal punishment that the state of nature hell. “... life outside punishments for
gain.” (57-58, keep us in check.” would have to enter society would be petty crime. “This
Hobbes packet) into a ‘social ‘solitary, poor, sovereign would be
contract’, an nasty, brutish, and given the right to
agreement to give up short’”. (58, Hobbes inflict severe
some of their packet) punishment on
dangerous freedoms anyone who stepped
for the sake of out of line.” (59,
safety.” (59, Hobbes Hobbes packet)
packet)

Locke Humans are Protect oneself and There was to be a His society gave Maybe not everyone
generally good their property. person or group of you room to conduct is so kind hearted
people. “The State of “According to Locke, people in charge, but your own life how deep down, and
Nature was pre- the purpose of the not with unlimited you wanted. “Under wouldn’t work in this
political, but it was Government and law power. “He pleaded the contract, man society. Some may
not premoral.” (intro, is to uphold and for a constitutionally did not surrender all be too greedy, or
Locke packet) protect the natural limited government.” their rights to one inconsiderate. “...
rights of men.” (number 6, Locke single individual, but there are limits as to
(number 5, Locke packet) they surrendered how much property
packet) only the right to one can own: one is
preserve/maintain not allowed to take
order and enforce so more from nature
the law of nature.” than oneself can
(number 3, Locke use…” (number 1,
 packet) Locke packet)

Rousseau Humans are People should follow Laws are made by The society would His concept of
generally good. “Left the General Will or one person. “This do everything it freedom is
to our own devices, they will not be person’s job was to could to benefit something many
living in a forest, we happy or free. “... create a legal system everyone, and not people would
wouldn’t cause many only when we follow that helped one group or disagree with. “... if
problems.” (106, the General Will are individuals keep in individual. “... the someone failed to
Rousseau packet) we truly free, even if line with the General General Will is what recognise that
we are forced to do Will…” (108, they ought to want, obeying a law was in
so.” (109, Rousseau Rousseau packet) what would be good the interest of the
packet) for the whole community, then that
community…” (107, person should be
Rousseau packet) ‘forced to be free.’”
(108, Rousseau
packet)

Mill He thought that a People should be Most likely a group of People have the People have the right
person’s intelligence equal and free to people in charge, right to say what to make their own
and personality make their own and allow ordinary they want and have choices, no matter
depended on how choices, as long as it people to vote and opinions. “Open what. In the case of
they were raised. “... doesn’t harm others. discuss. “... Mill discussion was of someone
human beings are a “... the sexes should thought it was vital great benefit to considering suicide:
bit like trees. If you be treated equally that everyone was society… because it “Should the law
don’t give a tree both in law and in given freedom to forced people to intervene to stop
enough space to society more think and speak as think hard about him? No, says Mill,
develop, it will be generally.” (143, they liked.” (143, Mill what they believed.” not unless he risks
twisted and weak.” Mill) packet) (143, Mill packet) harming someone
(140, Mill packet) else.”

Marx We all wanted what To make everyone People were equal It is a great concept, People will be too
was best for equal in every and will contribute to but very hard to put greedy for things to
everyone, but given aspect possible. “... the greater good. into practice. “Marx be equal. “... most
the chance we could a world in which no “From each was basically right other communist
be greedy. “ one would own land, according to his about society, it’s states created in the
 where there was no ability, to each just that those who twentieth century on
inheritance, where according to his ran the communist Marxist lines, proved
education was free, need.” (161, Marx states didn’t run oppressive,
and where public packet) them truly on inefficient and
factories provided communist lines.” corrupt.” (162, Marx
for everyone.” (162, (162-163, Marx packet)
Marx packet) packet)

Comparing Political Thinkers- Rubric

Criteria weig Exemplary 90- High Quality 80-89% Effective Limited Unsatisfactory
ht 100% 70-79% 60-69% Below 60%

Accurate, -All responses are -Most responses are -Responses are -Responses are -Responses are
insightful and specific, accurate specific, accurate accurate and some largely inaccurate largely incomplete.
fact-based and insightfully and insightfully use of evidence from and missing
where crafted with the use crafted with the use the readings is evidence from the
appropriate of evidence from of evidence from the reflected. Pros and readings. Pros and
the reading where reading where cons are vague. cons are vague.
possible. Pros and possible. Pros and
20 /20 cons are well cons show you have
articulated and thought deeply about
show you have the ideology in
thought deeply question.
about the ideology
in question.