Modern Day Democracies
Gabriel Ariza M.
European History 10
Social Contract DBQ
Modern day democracies have shown more efficiency over time rather than the autocratic structures. As of today, monarchs are just puppets handled by prime ministers. After centuries of oppressors autocracies have decreased. The question left to be answered is that which social contract is more efficient. Rulers who respect their people, and have more interest in their people rather than themselves prove to prospect more than autocracies. Sooner or later the own people demolish autocracies. The social contract should be based on democratic systems that share an equal bond with the people, given that a country ruled with oppression is condemned to fail.
Many of the men recognized in the enlightenment were selfish rulers who only acted for their own good, rather than the goods of the other people. As an absolute ruler, King James I said, “Monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are gods lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon god’s throne, but even by god himself are called gods.” As a king, James I referred to rulers as gods lieutenants upon earth, because he searched for supreme respect from those who he ruled. He refers to himself as a person who can give life and also take it. He made this his right. He states that he rules for his own consent. However King Frederick of Prussia believes the opposite of James. Frederick states “Rulers should always remind themselves that they are men like the least of their subjects… he should perform care… the king is guilty if he wastes the money of the people, the taxes which they have paid, in luxury, pomp and debauchery. He who should improve the morals of the people, be the guardian of the law, and improve their education should not pervert them by his bad example.” He states that a ruler who acts for his people rather than for himself is the ideal ruler. He who acts for his own self-interest is a ruler who is obnoxiously selfish. This is a ruler that
European History 10
Social Contract DBQ
Modern day democracies have shown more efficiency over time rather than the autocratic structures. As of today, monarchs are just puppets handled by prime ministers. After centuries of oppressors autocracies have decreased. The question left to be answered is that which social contract is more efficient. Rulers who respect their people, and have more interest in their people rather than themselves prove to prospect more than autocracies. Sooner or later the own people demolish autocracies. The social contract should be based on democratic systems that share an equal bond with the people, given that a country ruled with oppression is condemned to fail.
Many of the men recognized in the enlightenment were selfish rulers who only acted for their own good, rather than the goods of the other people. As an absolute ruler, King James I said, “Monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are gods lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon god’s throne, but even by god himself are called gods.” As a king, James I referred to rulers as gods lieutenants upon earth, because he searched for supreme respect from those who he ruled. He refers to himself as a person who can give life and also take it. He made this his right. He states that he rules for his own consent. However King Frederick of Prussia believes the opposite of James. Frederick states “Rulers should always remind themselves that they are men like the least of their subjects… he should perform care… the king is guilty if he wastes the money of the people, the taxes which they have paid, in luxury, pomp and debauchery. He who should improve the morals of the people, be the guardian of the law, and improve their education should not pervert them by his bad example.” He states that a ruler who acts for his people rather than for himself is the ideal ruler. He who acts for his own self-interest is a ruler who is obnoxiously selfish. This is a ruler that