Tuesday 1 February 2011

How did the philosophies of Rousseau, Locke, and Montesquieu influence the U.S constitution?

These
Enlightenment thinkers held much in the way of persuasion over the Framers in the construction
of the Constitution.  On one hand, the notion of individual and unalienable rights that Locke
developed would represent a major benchmark of the Constitution.  The idea that there are
specific rights that cannot be taken away by any external force is an underlying assumption
behind the Bill of Rights.  At the same time, the idea of Roussau's general will, that political
self determination is the only possible way to achieve an sense of internal liberation and
freedom is vitally important to the principle of popular sovereignty, which is present in the
Constitution.  Finally, Montesquieu's vision of divided government with specific branches and
outlined responsibilities is vitally important to the structure and purpose of government as
present in the Constitution.

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