The Development of Western Political Thought

The rise of democracy in England was the bridge between classical political ideas formed by Greeks and Romans and modern Western ideas seen today. One major thing reintroduced to England was a check to power. For years England had been ruled by a monarch, who was often unfair and unjust. Finally, after a civil war, Parliament was able to limit the power of the monarch and establish a healthy relationship. This idea of a check to power spurred remembrance of Roman government, and how it had a three branch system. The idea of a check to power is absolutely necessary in Western political thought because the consequences of not having one are substantial. The second major step in England’s move towards democracy was the Bill of Rights, the product resulting from the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta forced the king to give Nobles rights that could not be taken from them. The Magna Carta encouraged Parliament to make a bill of rights for all the citizens of England. The bill of rights greatly influenced Western political thought with its stress on individual rights and liberties.

This was proven when the United States made its own bill of rights.
The philosophers of the 17th and 18th century had a tremendous impact on Western political thought. John Locke believed that the government’s job was to protect the people’s life, liberty, and property, and that failure to do so permitted the people to rebel against the government. These ideas are very prominent in Western political thought and the way the United States came to be was because of this very thought process, illustrated in the Declaration of Independence. Voltaire was a philosopher who strongly advocated for tolerance, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech. These things are some of the foundations of the United States, and are therefore greatly a part of its political thought process. Finally, Montesquieu was a philosopher who felt liberty was very important, and so he sought out the best way to protect it. He concluded that separating powers into a legislature, an executive, and a court system. Proof that Western political thought was influenced by this thinking is the fact that the United States runs in this very form.

In conclusion, Western political thought has been influenced by many different things over a huge time period. Greek philosophers introduced the idea of natural rights. Greek and Roman governments introduced the separation of powers, written law, and a senate. Religions contributed ideas of morality, equality, and unity. The rise of democracy in England produced a bill of rights and showed the consequences of a monarchy. Finally, the various philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries contributed to heightened requirements of liberty, freedom, and government protection. All of these things contribute greatly to how Western political thought came to be.