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Hobbes Publishes the Leviathan
Hobbes idea of social contract was stated very early in the "Leviathan". He stated the someone with absolute authority should rule a nation and be responsible for providing protection for his people. He came up with his ideas out of fear of political unrest. -
Locke publishes Two Treaties on Government
Locke also stated social contract in Two Treaties of Government. The first Treatise attacks a political theory in the 17th century in England that defended the concept of absolute power. Locke's second Treatise outlines his ideas for a more civilized society based off natural rights and contract theory. -
Montesquieu published The Spirit of the Laws
Spirit of Laws focused on the separation of laws. He believed the the government should not have too much power. He also believed that small states should be ruled by republics, medium size states should be ruled be monarchies, and large states should be rule by despots. -
Rousseau published The Social Contract, Emile
This essay argues that the arts and sciences corrupt human manner. Rousseau's essay was the first expression of his influential views about nature and society. -
Beccaria published On Crimes and Publishments
The writing is a Treatise that commended torture and the death penalty. His writing also help found the work in the field of penology, a study of punishment and crime.