The framers read extensively on the writings of Enlightenment thinkers such as Locke and Montesquieu, applying their ideas into the constitution. John Locke's "Second Treatise- and his idea of the "social contract- was a major influence upon the construction of the constitution. ... The framers applied Locke's social contract, which guaranteed a human's inalienable rights to formation of the constitution. Also, Locke argued that revolution was not only a choice but in some cases an obligation when faced with tyranny. ... Under Chief Justice John Marshall, the role of the cour...

• Word Count: 1390
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

It has the following key features: (i) It is a written document which has its origins in John Locke's notion of - Limited government' (a) laws are written and knowable (b) the property rights of citizens take precedent over government (ii) Madisonian Model rests on federal government with three distinctive branches: • the Legislature (House of Representatives and Senate is Congress) • the Executive (President plus executive departments) • the Judiciary (the most influenti...

• Word Count: 1384
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Locke would declare that all men are equal and that one is no more powerful that he next, getting away for the idea of a sovereign ruler, but not fully supporting the democracy that we now hold. ... Puritan Leaders like John Winthrop would argue that we are free and conditionally bound only by a covenant with God and our fellow man. ... This is true not only today, John Cotton a respected Puritan like Winthrop, argued that officials, even if religious, were prone to corruption. ...

• Word Count: 1489
• Approx Pages: 6

Since 1660 England had been absorbed into the idea of separation of functioning branches of government, it was a popular theory with the extreme radicals during the Civil War and both Locke and Montesquieu discussed it in their political philosophies and writings. ... The most influential writers of that left-wing libertarian group were John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon. ... John Bolingbroke. ...

• Word Count: 2349
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate