Essay Prompt
Write a comparative analytical essay contrasting the political philosophies of Niccolò Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes with those of John Locke, Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Rather than discussing each philosopher separately, develop an argument that explains the major philosophical differences between these two approaches to politics, government, authority, and society.
Your essay should analyze and compare the philosophers' views on the following topics:
Human Nature
- How does each philosopher describe human nature?
- Are people naturally rational, selfish, violent, cooperative, or moral?
- How does each philosopher's understanding of human nature influence his theory of government?
Purpose of Government
- Why does government exist according to each philosopher?
- Is the primary purpose of government to maintain order, protect liberty, preserve property, promote equality, or something else?
Political Authority
- Where does political authority originate?
- Does legitimate authority come from God, the ruler, the people, the social contract, or another source?
Absolute Monarchy and Sovereignty
- Which philosophers defend a strong or absolute sovereign?
- Which philosophers argue that governmental power should be limited?
- Under what circumstances, if any, should citizens obey or resist political authority?
Democracy and Popular Government
- What role should ordinary citizens play in government?
- Which philosophers support popular sovereignty or democratic participation?
- Which philosophers express skepticism toward popular rule?
Individual Rights and Liberty
- What rights, if any, do individuals possess before government exists?
- Which rights should government protect?
- Can governments legitimately limit or remove individual freedoms?
The Social Contract
- How do Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau define the social contract?
- How do their theories differ regarding consent, political obligation, and the relationship between citizens and government?
Law and Separation of Powers
- Why does Montesquieu argue for the separation of powers?
- How does his approach differ from Hobbes's concept of sovereignty?
Property, Equality, and Society
- How do Locke and Rousseau differ regarding private property and inequality?
- What role does property play in creating or preserving political order?
Overall Philosophical Differences
Your conclusion should explain the broader divide between these thinkers:
- Which philosophers prioritize order, security, and centralized authority?
- Which prioritize individual liberty, constitutional government, or popular sovereignty?
- Why are these differences significant in political philosophy?
Essay Requirements
Your essay must:
- Present a clear thesis in the introduction.
- Compare and analyze the philosophers rather than simply summarize each reading.
- Support every major claim with evidence from the assigned readings.
- Explain the significance of the evidence you cite instead of allowing quotations to speak for themselves.
- Demonstrate an understanding of each philosopher's arguments and how they relate to one another.
Citations
Your essay must be based solely on the assigned readings.
- Cite the author and page number throughout the paper.
- Example: (Hobbes, p. 5)
- Every quotation must appear in quotation marks.
- Direct quotations should support your analysis rather than replace it.
- Essays without sufficient citations from the assigned readings may lose credit.
Formatting Requirements
- Maximum 5 pages
- Double-spaced
- Times New Roman
- 12-point font
- 1-inch margins
- Submit as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) document
- Do not submit a PDF