Foundations of Modern Political Thought

Political Thought & Revolutionary Movements (16th-19th Century) - Revision Sheet

1. 📌 Essentials

• Enlightenment emphasized reason, individual rights, and scientific approach to politics.
• Key figures: Locke, Hobbes, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau Blackstone.
• Major revolutions: American (1776), French (1789), Latin American independence.
• Concepts: natural rights, separation of powers, sovereignty, general will.
• Transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional democracy.
• Napoleonic Wars reshaped European political order.
• Congress of Vienna aimed to restore stability balance of power.
• Nationalism fueled independence movements in Europe and Latin America.
• Declaration of Independence (1776) declared colonies' independence from Britain.
• Declaration of Rights of Man (1789) proclaimed liberty, equality, fraternity.

2. 🧩 Key Structures & Components

• State / Government — maintains order, enforces laws.
• Separation of Powers — legislative, executive, judicial branches.
• Natural Rights — life, liberty, property (Locke).
• General Will — collective interest (Rousseau).
• Legal Systems — common law (Blackstone), constitutional law.
• Revolutionary Documents — articulate new political ideas.
• Leaders — Napoleon (France), Bolivar (South America).

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