Article2

You have learned some of the major changes that took place in European history from the period of the Roman Republic to the time of the Founders. These changes included increased economic opportunities and the growth of a prosperous middle class that gained political power. New religious beliefs led to different ideas about the relationships among individuals, the church, and government. One of the most important results of these developments was an increased emphasis upon the rights of the individual.

With new ways of thinking about politics, government, and the role of citizens, came greater opportunities for individuals. The class or group into which you were born became less important than what you made of your life. People became more interested in pursuing their private interests and improving their standard of living than in promoting the common welfare. The ideas of the classical republicans gave way to the ideas of the natural rights philosophers. These philosophers explained and justified the changes that were taking place in society.

The natural rights philosophy was developed most fully in the writings of the English philosophers Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and John Locke (1632-1704). The natural rights philosophers rejected many of the ideas of feudal society. They did not believe the groups into which they were born should limit people's opportunities. They did not agree with the limitations on people's rights imposed by the feudal system. Instead they saw society as a collection of individuals, each with a basic right to pursue his or her own interests in order to improve his or her life.

The natural rights philosophers justified the desire of individuals to accumulate money and other forms of property. They believed this economic activity would lead to greater wealth for the entire society as well as encourage the development of science and technology.

These ideas about the rights of individuals were very different from older beliefs. They justified each person's right to live as he or she pleased. The older classical republican ideas emphasized the responsibility of individuals to fulfill themselves by participating in their government so as to promote the common welfare. On the other hand, the natural rights philosophers argued that what is important is the protection of individual rights. The purpose of government should be limited to the protection of these rights so people can be free to pursue their own interests. Participation in government is only important when it is necessary to make sure the government will protect rather than violate people's rights.

The natural rights philosophers thought that all people are born with certain natural rights. This point of view provided the basis for the arguments of Hobbes, Locke, and others. To determine what our natural rights are, they asked themselves:

The natural rights philosophers argued that these rights are unalienable, that is, they are so much a part of human nature that they cannot be taken away or given up. These rights are established by nature. They are different from other rights that may be established by custom or law or gained by being a member of a group. For example, they are different from the right to obtain a driver's license upon reaching a certain age.

The natural rights philosophers argued that people would be free in a state of nature. But what would happen if everyone tried to pursue his or her own rights and there was no government with the authority to settle disagreements? Life might be dangerous and full of fear and insecurity. The strong might dominate the weak or the weak might work together to overcome the strong. In such a situation, how could people enjoy their natural rights?

The natural rights philosophers believed there will always be people who will try to take advantage of others or who may be carried away by passions of greed or anger or a desire for glory. People may also be confused by foolish beliefs or theories. So a government is needed to enforce rules and punish violations. But how are we to decide who should govern?

The natural rights philosophers argued that no one had a right to govern the people unless the people had consented to be governed by that person. They insisted that while people differed from one another, no one was so intellectually and morally superior that he or she could claim the right to govern other people. Therefore, all legitimate government must rest on the consent of the governed.

The natural rights philosophers believed that government should be based on an agreement among the people to form a society. Once people have given their consent to be governed in a certain way, they are obligated to support and abide by the laws of the government they have created. This agreement among the people to live together in society and establish a government is called a social contract.

In this sense, the natural rights philosophers shared a similar point of view with the Puritans. The idea of a covenant or agreement with God was an important part of the Puritans' religious beliefs. One of the first documents written in the American colonies is an example of a covenant or social contract. The Pilgrims, a group of Puritans, had been given a charter that gave them permission to begin a colony in Virginia. However, their ships were blown off course and they landed on the coast of New England. They did not have permission to begin a colony where no British government authority yet existed. So they turned to the familiar idea of a covenant to create their new society. In November 1620, anchored offshore, they wrote and signed a social contract called the Mayflower Compact in which they consented to be ruled by the government they created.

The natural rights philosophers believed that government should be the representative and the servant of the people, not their master. This view of government is stated in the Declaration of Independence. It is a view that requires the powers of government to be limited so those in government cannot abuse their power and violate the rights of the people.

According to the natural rights philosophers, government should be limited to protecting those rights with which we are born. For example, government has no business dictating to you what religion you should practice so long as you do not harm others. Government may not interfere with your rights so long as your exercise of those rights does not prevent other citizens from living their lives as they see fit.

Most Americans living in the English colonies enjoyed unusual opportunities compared with Europeans of the time. They did not live in a society dominated by a hereditary nobility. They had far greater economic opportunities than Europeans. By hard work they could gain private property and a better standard of living than most Europeans had. Their religious beliefs emphasized the dignity, worth, and independence of the individual. For these reasons, the natural rights philosophy appealed to them. It emphasized their right to lead their own lives and prosper under a government responsible for protecting their rights.