I. Introduction
II. Bossuet (The Principles of Politics Derived from the
Scripture)
A. Background
B. Argument for monarchy
1. Scripture teaches
that monarchy is best form of govt.
2. Nature teaches
that monarchy is the best form of govt.
3. Monarchy is
the most advantageous form of govt.
4. Recent French
history shows monarchy is best
5. Reasons govt.
should even be able to dictate religion
C. Main weakness of Bossuet's argument
III. Hobbes (Leviathan)
A. Background
B. Argument for strong govt.
1. Life in the
state of nature: solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short
2. Formation of
govt. (all rights given to Leviathan, so our lives won't be solitary,
poor, etc.)
3. Reasons govt.,
once formed, can't be changed.
4. Reasons monarchy
is best: the one form of govt. that uses selfishness to advantage!
5. Why king should
even be able to choose his people's religion
6. Recent British
history as evidence Hobbes was right
IV. Locke (Second Treatise of Government)
A. Background
B. Argument for limitations of govt.
1. The state of
nature
2. Natural rights
(life, liberty, equality, property, contracts, reparation and restraint)
3. Reasons we form
govt.
4. Formation of
govt.
a. Reparation and restraint delegated to govt.
b. In return, govt. protects our other natural rights
5. Reasons
for changing govt.
a. When govt. doesn't protect or violates natural rights
b. When executive usurps legislative power
6. Why govt. should
not dictate religion (Locke's argument for toleration)
C. The strength of Locke's argument: Jefferson
and the Declaration of Independence