Many researchers have found out that by studying a course in government, political science, or civics, students would learn to become better citizens. They will accomplish this by applying various theories in their lives. Learning principles propounded by Jacques Rousseau, students will learn that leaders should obtain their mandate to govern their subject through a social contract in which the people obey as long as the leaders govern according to the state’s constitution. They will also learn that they have a duty to protect the fundamental rights of other citizens.

Moreover, students will also learn from the theory of John Lock that the state in its natural state is not always perfect and uncorrupted like a blank slate. They will therefore know they have a duty to have the estate under legal control. In fact, they will appreciate from Hobbes concept that the state, left uncontrolled, can be a violent place where a man’s rights can be violated. Likewise, such students will learn that man’s greed for political economy drives him to wage wars of conquest and only an honorable loss may force man to submit to authority.

Furthermore, studying scholars like Thomas Aquinas will also help students studying government, political science, or civics to appreciate that they have a duty to protect their fellow citizens from exploitation. Reading the works of Jean Jacques Rousseau will make also model them into good citizens. They will learn that if the people sacrifice their rights for the sake of common good, then the best authority should be given to a wise leader.

Most importantly, students will learn that moral sentiments indicate that everyone has a right to associate freely with others. They will therefore learn and appreciate that for any government to flourish economically, it must have some general standards and rules for natural coexistence. In summary, such students will become loyal, trustworthy, and hardworking citizens. They would be the best examples of ideal citizens. In fact, they would be men and women of honor.