Homework #7

There is no way for a direct democracy to work in the United States.  The United States is one of the most populated countries in the world.  In a direct democracy, every citizen is literally part of the the government.  With so many people giving so many different opinions, there would be no way to efficiently run the government.  A direct democracy would really only cause more chaos.  I feel that a representative government is working moderately well for this country because it allows important matters to be solved more quickly and efficiently (in most cases).  I don't think we can really make a perfect government because, just like how people have flaws, there will always be some problems that can't be solved.

Homework #6

John Locke believed that that all people are born good, with natural rights that can't be taken away from you.  He thought that a government could only exist with the consent of the people being governed, and believed in the principle of separation of powers in a government.  Thomas Hobbes, on the other hand, believed that people are naturally evil.  He thought that only a government that had a ruler with absolute power could maintain control.  I personally believe that John Locke's principles apply the concept of social contract more effectively than Thomas Hobbes's principles.  Thomas Hobbes believes that people should give the government absolute power, but if you focus all of the power in one person, then there is really nothing stopping that person from abusing their power.  John Locke's belief that the power should be split into separate parts chosen by the people helps to avoid that problem.