John Locke Influence On Government Essay

The Declaration of Independence states, “--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”. In the article Why Government, it states, “But Locke also believed that governments should protect people’s natural rights.” Both of these quotes show that the purpose for creating government, is so that the protection of the natural rights of the people is ensured. Also, the idea that these fair powers are just what Men (human beings) are receiving and what they should receive from the creation of governments. Both of these quotes combine with each other, because of the pinpointed idea of how the government was created in order to benefit to the natural rights of the people, and to protect these

This principle is for the people because they wanted to feel safe, they wanted the power of choosing their representatives and they wanted to chose someone who can keep their promises and protect the rights of the citizens. The inalienable rights is the first Amendment in the bill of rights which consist on the people having the power of asking the government to change or make a new law. This principle was established because the people have the right to have a voice and speak or ask the government to change something they don't like. These three principles of the Constitution all have in common the power of the people because each one shows how the people wanted to have different places they can recruit and these three principles join together are like an absolute power against the government power. Another reason for these power was that the people wanted an equal

Locke wants people to stand up for the rights that they deserved. Jefferson wanted to create a government contract for the people, which would allow for them to become an independent nation. Locke’s declaration creates revolts and made the American people start thinking about what they wanted for themselves. His declaration caused damage to the great nation until Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence which united the people. The social contract in John Locke’s declaration is the State of Nature.

Firstly an introduction that states the purpose of the document, which intended to explain the reason of why American people were declaring independence from the government of England. In the second part a theory of good government and individual rights that from the 1770s until modern days is still accepted in the United States. The theory presented a set of undeniable rights that made all individuals equal in their possession. Those rights are not granted by the government, they are considered to be natural to human nature. For that reason an essential aspect of a good government is to guarantee these rights.

He became leading minister of Charles II and then a founder of the opposing Whig Party, who pushes for constitutional monarchism. Shaftesbury lead the 1679 “exclusion” campaign to bar the catholic duke of York (the future James II) from the Royal succession. (www.let.rug.nl) For John Locke knowledge was not the discovery of anything, but simply the accumulation of “facts” derived from sensory experience. He wrote Two Treatises of Government that put his revolutionary ideas concerning the nature rights of man and social contacts. He also developed a definition of property as the product of a person’s labor that would be foundational for both Adam Smith’s Capitalism and Karl Marx’s Socialism.

Human dignity, equality, freedom to live without harassment and intimidation, social harmony, mutual respect, and protection of one’s good name and honor are also central to the good life and deserve to be safeguarded. Because these values conflict, either inherently or in particular contexts, they need to be balanced.” Even in our democracies, where free speech is claimed every day by million of people as a complete right to express their opinion, as hurtful as it could be, intellectual pluralism should not belong there. Democracies are created for people’s regulation, satisfaction (« government (...) for the people ») and happiness (proved by the interest created by the notion of Gross National Happiness, which could measure it), and letting everyone express their hate or harm someone orally could attack this idea of happiness promoted by many governments. As a consequence, the Secretary General of the United Nations write a « Model Law Against Racial Discrimination » which restricts the freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly: « it shall be an offense to threaten, insult, ridicule or otherwise abuse a person or group of persons with words or behavior which may be interpreted as an attempt to cause racial discrimination or racial hatred »; « it shall be an offense to defame an individual or group of individuals on racial grounds. Organizations which

Locke’s assumptions that humans are rational and led by reason, and the abundance of resources allowing private ownership of land, give a higher purpose to the government in a society than just physical security. Government, on all its levels, is protecting individuals’ property and creating and enforcing laws that will apply to everyone, even the sovereign. The “levels” of government embody a new idea proposed by Locke – the separation of powers. He argues that in order for the government not to be corrupt, it has to have separated legislative, executive and juridical powers which operate independently from each other’s influences. Therefore, he directly opposes Hobbes’ argument for absolute power: an absolute monarchy would be worse than the State of Nature since the sovereign holds the whole power of the people and now it is impossible to defeat him as an individual, which would not be the case in the State of Nature where everyone was equal.

Washington quoted in his Farewell “The unity of Government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquillity at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize.” He summarizes how we can come together as a nation and not be afraid because of where we live. This makes us stronger and protects our freedom when we come together and serve our country.

As time went on, the king became more cruel and ruthless, rather than learning from his selfishness and striving to repair the damage he had caused. Today, one can envision that egocentricity occurs countless times in this present society. Granted, there are several generous people who offer great empathy to several who might never receive kindness. Just so, there are those who are not generous with their resources and often become figuratively cruel and vicious. Most of today’s difficulties are results of one’s selfishness.

Everyone makes mistakes in life, some are excusable and some are not. Thomas Hobbes felt that if there were no contract then people would just act on instinct- rape, pillage etc- human beings in their natural state are inclined to war and distrust. There is a reason why we have the prison system, so that criminals pay for their actions and to protect the people. He states he has a wife that is expecting and two kids on the way. If he is a good and harmless guy as he states he is then it would never cross his mind to being involved in an

This would stop one part of the government from oppressing the people of that place. Today, this is the type of government system that we use in America. Baron de Montesquieu 's ideas were adopted into our constitution and his form of government has been used in America since. Montesquieu also believed in political liberty. He thought that people could be as free as they want as long as they obeyed the laws.

The founding fathers believed that the government’s purpose was to secure the unalienable rights of American citizens to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness by protecting them against violations by foreign enemies. Although, the progressives believed that the purpose of the government was to give people the benefit of the programs the government have, while making the people more socially responsible. The Founding Fathers believed it was for the greater good of everyone to be free and do things on their own. They thought that if people had less rules and were able to do whatever they want there would be and inequality of the wealthiness. The Founding Fathers made the difference of political equality and economic equality very clear.

All men in civil society are subject to the positive laws of society. That government should govern for the good of people. That people to have the right to replace their representatives if they fail to govern for good. The protection of property of ones possessions for human kind virtue. Humanity and liberty are rights should always be protected by the law of nature.

This led to action to help protect citizens against abuse. Today’s laws help to protect citizens equally against abuse of power and unjust treatment by the government. Some believe that people in power will always take advantage of others. This is why laws are put in place to protect us. The 13th and 14th Amendments which abolished slavery and gave equal protection of the laws to citizens are prime examples of these laws.

To start, freedom of religion was important to the framers and the citizens because they had dealt with religious persecution before America separated from Britain. They wanted the ability to practice their religion of choice freely, without the fear of being punished. Also, many wished for religion to be separate from the government, an idea presented by Thomas Jefferson. This would mean that the government would never be able to define one religion for the country, which had previously happened when Britain ruled the colonies. To add, freedom of speech was very important to George Washington and he greatly influenced it being included.