iCivics
Why Government?
Why do people create governments? Where did we get our ideas about government? This is a fantastic introductory lesson for your American government class that begins by reviewing the philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke in...
Curated OER
Why do we need a Government
Students explore some of the ideas of major importance to the Founders, why we need a government, and how the Founders believed governments should be created and what they should do. They think of a right that all people should have and...
Other
Modern Political Theory
This site contains a question and answer format on the theories of Locke and Hobbes. It answers questions about the political system and social contract, as well as theorizing about the state of nature and rights of man.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Natural Law
Review this site for the definition of "natural law" based on varying theories with respect to morality in determining the authority of legal norms. Contents of the writing cover Two Kinds of Natural Law, Conceptual Naturalism,...
Digital History
Digital History: By What Right [Pdf]
Two opposing philosophies concerning the relationship between government and its citizens were expressed by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke in the 17th century. Compare these two philosophies and see how they were related to the colonists'...
Oregon State University
The Elements of Law Natural and Politic
This site provides the entire text document of "The Elements of Law Natural and Politic" by Thomas Hobbes. This is a detailed document and very informative.
iCivics
I Civics: John Locke Mini Lesson
Introduce learners to the ideas and writings of John Locke that influenced the likes of Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers.
iCivics
I Civics: Thomas Hobbes Mini Lesson
Thomas Hobbes was one of the first of his era to discuss the idea of the social contract. Explore his views on government and his famous book, Leviathan.
iCivics
I Civics: Why Government?
Dig into philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke's ideas and see how they've influenced those that have followed in their footsteps.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Jean Jacques Rousseau
This biographical sketch makes use of quotations from Rousseau's works. Provides a bibliography of his work as well.