John Locke is a famous and influential 17th century English philosopher and political theorist who not only influenced and laid the ground work for the Enlightenment, but who also influenced the foundations of the American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Being one of the authors of the Social Contract Theory, he paved the way for democracy, republicanism and liberalism. One of his most important and notable work’s to this day is the “Two Treatises of Civil Government,” which is the document in which the American founding fathers accredited their work to as they used his political theories to draft both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The Primary objective of all leaders should be to control citizens. A society that allows authority to be challenged will never succeed. This source depicts an authoritarian or totalitarian view of what a governing body should look like. The author suggests that the primary objective of government should be the “control of the citizens”, and therefore that the individuals should entirely obey said government.
In "Second Treatise on Civil Government (1689)" by John Locke, the philosopher states his theory about the origin of government was from the will of the people and that the people has the right to change their rulers and state. In order for a union to exist, people as a whole must be equal in the sense that social class does not affect ones influence on government because every person is born with the same opportunities. Unquestionably, we all have natural rights that law cannot take away from us, but there are some things that people must follow to keep peace in the state. Granted the people are who decide how government should be and who our next rulers, are but there are times where the state makes the wrong decisions and rebellions/revolutions
English philosopher John Locke in his Second Treatise on Government, promulgated in 1690, portrayed in theory the three branches of government that would develop under the United States Constitution: the executive, legislative, and judicial. The legislative branch was, according to Locke and the Founding Fathers whose actions were shaped by Locke’s philosophy, the most significant branch of all three, considering it regulated the purse strings and constructed the laws that later influenced society. Even though Congress was the most relevant of these three branches, each section obtained checks and balances in relation to the remaining two; the president had a right to veto congressional legislation, Congress could supersede the veto with a
Locke’s ideas from the Two Treatises of Government and An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, were based upon the natural rights where power comes from the people. Both of his pieces contributed to revolutions, most importantly the American Revolution as power from monarchies was removed and democracies were created. Allowed for limited government power and all obligations were to the citizens. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding basis was on how the knowledge existence of God, certain moral truths, and laws of logic or mathematics pertained to the natural rights of
In John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government, Locke’s main argument is whether majority rulings does not violate people’s fundamental rights. He goes further to explain his theory of a legitimate government. According to Locke, a legitimate government is a government that is limited and based on consent of the people. A government must not violate a person’s natural right (life,liberty, and property), but it can take away property through taxes and make citizens go to war for them. In following that government has limits that can violate a person’s natural right, however, how can we constitute many of our law as violations to people’s fundamental rights if it helps the people.
The writings of John Locke are the bedrock of a claim that rendered America’s governmental system much of its inspiration, as well as its validity. This being the case, John Locke’s effect on this nation’s history will never be fully realized, as its history would be entirely different without him, making any hypothetical attempt to separate the two fruitless. America’s very notion to disregard the then standard of a monarchy stemmed largely from Locke, as did its justification for its initial rebellion against its colonial power, which allowed to gain power as an individual state with the capacity to self-govern at all. In the vastly different way in which America chose to govern itself, we can again see Locke’s influence; for America choice
John Locke had been conservative in his political views. After the upheavals of the Civil Wars he argued for civil peace by recognition of right of magistrate to legislate over religious practices. He carefully drew boundaries between civil and religious societies. He published The Reasonableness of Christianity ; Some Thoughts concerning Education and Two Treatises of Government. All men in civil society are subject to the positive laws of society.
John Locke was a philosopher and political scientist. He had many interests and produced a number of writings that influenced future leaders. One of these leaders was Thomas Jefferson, who was involved with the aid of America and the act gaining independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence and Locke’s views on government contain many similar aspects. These ideas includes the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (natural rights); the protection that is provided by the government for these rights; and the altering or abolishment of government if it fails to provide and protect the rights of the people.
Locke's most important and influential political writings are contained in his Two Treatises on Government. The first treatise is concerned almost exclusively with refuting the argument that political authority was derived from religious authority. The second treatise contains Locke’s own constructive view of the aims and justification for civil government. According to Locke, the State of Nature, the natural condition of mankind, is a state of perfect and complete liberty to conduct one's life as one best sees fit, free from the interference of others. This does not mean, however, that it is a state of license: one is not free to do anything at all one pleases, or even anything that one judges to be in one’s interest.
Classical Liberalism Classical liberalism is a political ideology that focuses on the state, freedom, and autonomy. One of the key ideologies of the American revolution, classical liberal thinking was used to lay the foundation of the American state. A classical liberal political system would respect the rule of law, put an emphasis on individual autonomy, possess a limited government, and hold a market economy, specifically that with limited government intervention. The ideas for classical liberalism were proposed by a number of philosophers, economists, and politicians dating back to the age of enlightenment. This period of the seventeenth and eighteenth century following the scientific revolution, was marked by both rationalist and utilitarian
As items are taken from the common stock, the resources become depleted. Logically then, there will not be enough resources for everyone to have the resources to live their dream. To many, this may not seem fair, however, Locke argues that “taking resources from the common stock is unlikely to harm the interests of others” (Prompt). This may seem counterintuitive, but Locke justifies this belief with two main arguments: that there is enough land to satisfy the desires of all parties, and that land is worthless until others’ labor transforms it into something of value.
First, Locke would likely object to Article 1, which preserves “the traditional distinction between the three orders of the state,” as this is a form of social hierarchy that is inconsistent with his belief in the natural equality of all individuals. Locke argues that “all men by nature are equal” and should not be “subjected to the will or authority of any other man”(Second Treatise of Government, Chapter II, Section 4). In Locke's view, individuals have the inherent right to their natural freedom, and no one should have authority over them without their consent. This reinforces Locke's rejection of the King’s Speech as it upholds social hierarchies which undermine the natural equality of individuals. Additionally, Locke would likely disagree
In the Second Treaties of Government, John Locke discusses nature and the rights that humankind has in terms of property. In this paper I will be explain Locke’s idea on the invention of money and how it has caused people to not live in accordance with the nature of propriety. Locke introduces chapter five of the Second Treaties of Government by expressing that the Earth is property for everyone to use. “The earth, and all that is therein, is given to men for the support and comfort of their being” (5.26). Locke strongly argues that in order to survive, one must take from nature’s bounty.
Locke is a founder of the Common Sense pamphlet. He believed in government ruled by people. “He expressed the radical view that government is morally obliged to serve people, namely by protecting life, liberty, and property. He explained the principle of checks and balances to limit government power. He favored representative government and a rule of law.
Government Essay The Mayflower compact, and John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government helped establish the principles of freedom, independence, and natural rights that were used to shape the ideas on which our founders created the Declaration of Indepence. The Mayflower compact was important because it was the idea that people had the right to determine the form of government in which they wanted to be governed (Nobles 1215). This concept was important because it was based on biblical principles that they got their rights from God, not from a king, government, or ruling elite (Nobles 1215).