Question

The United States Constitution prevents any individual from holding absolute

power over the U.S. government. It also requires leaders to be elected by
citizens rather than allowing leaders to pass power down to their children.
Which of these Enlightenment philosophers would have most disagreed with
this system of government?
A. Thomas Hobbes
B. Charles de Montesquieu
C. John Locke
D. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Answer 1

The Enlightenment philosopher who would have most disagreed with the system of government outlined in the United States Constitution, where leaders are elected by citizens and power is not passed down to their children, would likely be:

A. Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes had a more authoritarian view of government. He believed in a strong central authority, often characterized as an absolute monarchy, to maintain order and prevent the chaos that he believed would result from a state of nature. In contrast, the U.S. Constitution embodies ideas more closely associated with John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau, who favored limited government, separation of powers, and the consent of the governed.