Colonists struggled with their consciences and debated their own authority. ... Contrarians debated whether this was the correct interpretation, or was the Bible really referring only to authorities that were living and ruling in a fair and humane manner? ... Whether their submission should be absolute was subject to debate and created division between the Colonists. ... In 1750, Reverend Jonathan Mayhew, in his Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission, concluded that only those rulers who were serving in the best interest of the people deserve infinite respect and obedience. ...

• Word Count: 1203
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In his book "Politics," Aristotle begins his work by outlining his ideas concerning human nature and the formation of what he calls political associations. ... In his chapter "Concerning New Principalities which are Acquired," Machiavelli discusses the downfall of Cesare Borgia. ... In contrast to Aristotle and classical thought concerning political associations, Machiavelli argues that principalities are not natural, but an act of acquirement. ...

• Word Count: 1841
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In the Essay Concerning Human Understanding, John Locke speculated about how politics must confront the issue "of freedom the will of the individual"(Locke, 43) and how their freedom must be subject to "constant, certain, and known principals"(Locke, 44), so that when conflicts of justifying rights emerge the government will have a guide by which to reference their decision against. ...

• Word Count: 2856
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Virtu Like most Western philosophers, Niccolo Machiavelli's ideas were heavily influenced by the early Greek philosophers. Most notable among the Greek philosophers who inspired Machiavelli was Plato. In particular, Machiavelli took interest in Plato's concept of just rulers who ruled by moral virtue. Machiavelli argued against this Platonic philosophy. He believed in "virtu", whatever was best for the State was virtu. ...

• Word Count: 4508
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: Undergraduate