The Social Contract: How Three Philosophers Shaped Democracy

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video explores the foundational ideas of the Enlightenment by examining the lives and philosophies of three key thinkers: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Using an engaging "game show" format, the video first presents biographical clues to help students understand the historical contexts—such as the English Civil War and the democratic traditions of Geneva—that shaped each philosopher's worldview. It then reveals their identities and connects their personal experiences to their seminal theories on human nature and government. The content delves deep into the concept of the "State of Nature" and the "Social Contract," contrasting Hobbes' belief in the necessity of an absolute ruler to prevent chaos with Locke's advocacy for natural rights and Rousseau's focus on popular sovereignty and equality. The video further extends these concepts by introducing later Enlightenment figures like Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Beccaria, illustrating how their ideas on free speech, separation of powers, and justice reform built upon earlier works. This resource is highly valuable for World History, Civics, and Government classrooms. It simplifies abstract political philosophy into accessible narratives and visual analogies, making complex texts like *Leviathan* and *Two Treatises of Government* understandable for students. The video features built-in pause points for reflection and prediction, turning passive viewing into an active learning experience that helps students trace the intellectual roots of modern democracy and the American Revolution.