Locke states that there is a difference between a state of nature and a state of war. They begin, as Hobbes did, by defining the “state of nature”—a time before man found rational thought. A state of war is a state where there is enmity and destruction, as opposed to a state of peace. In Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence from 1776, you can see that he used Lockean ideas such as social contracts and natural laws; specifically, in section 225 where “long train” comes from. He is not entitled to land or possessions except for reparations that cover his costs in waging war. Second, there must be limitations on the rule of the authority figure; he can’t act outside of law. Civil government is established when the people give up their rights for perfect freedom, judgment and punishment. In chapter XVI, Locke discusses the subject of conquest. Both interpretations can be supported because Locke did not provide any details about how prerogative should work. God gave men free will, but since children can’t use that free will well, their parents must act in their best interest until they reach maturity. The state of nature seems to be when man has the rights from the laws of nature. Locke adds that foreigners who live in a country are not necessarily considered members of the society. They could leave at any time and their master was not allowed to kill or maim them. A wise prince can actually use his prerogative in many ways while still respecting his subjects’ rights. It lays out his political philosophy, which emphasizes personal liberty and self-preservation before consenting to be governed by others. The Second Treatise of Government places sovereignty into the hands of the people. For example, if a woman has multiple husbands, or they separate, or he dies, then the mother can make and enforce rules just as well as the father could have done. He then goes on to refute Sir Robert Filmer’s arguments, which are full of “doubtful expressions” and “glib nonsense.” Locke says that wrong ideas about government can be dangerous, so he offers a discussion in which reasonable arguments won’t give into complaining or fighting. For example, in America and Mexico there were many monarchies who were elective. Second Treatise of Government Study Guide. Have study documents to share about Second Treatise of Government? He explains what he means by “political power,” which is the right to make and enforce laws to regulate and preserve property, protect commonwealths, and work for the common good of society. Locke begins his second chapter with the explanation that all men exist in a state of perfect freedom and equality. This union not only serves reproduction but also provides mutual assistance, affection, the ability to better nourish and educate children, as well as keep parents company for longer than other species. The executive’s role in these elections can be one of two things: he may oversee the process or call for them himself (if it isn’t addressed in the constitution). “On the State of Nature” is one of the most important chapters in Locke’s Second Treatise. A good ruler should not pity himself because he can avoid this situation by respecting the law. The unjustly defeated don’t have many options. This occurs in an absolute monarchy because the individual has no rights and must submit to the will of the monarch. Your email address will not be published. Before Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776, he read and absorbed Locke’s Two Treatises of Government. Majority rule is also logical since some people might have health issues or business obligations which prevent them from being able to participate in voting on certain matters, while others may hold opinions contrary those held by most other members of the community when it comes time for voting on proposed legislation. Sometimes there are governments with legislatures that aren’t always in session and executives who only have one person; in this case, we can say that the executive branch isn’t really supreme but only accountable to the legislature. This dominion was also found within the family structure, thus the absolute rule of a monarch over his people was mirrored in the father’s absolute rule over his family. Secondly, there isn’t one person who can serve as judge and jury on disputes because everyone is biased by their own emotions or self-interests. You can claim any piece of land that you cultivate or harvest from its fruits. Locke considers two situations. If someone picks an apple from a tree for personal use, they have every right to eat it because they picked it themselves. The limitations on the legislature are that laws must be established and unvaried for different citizens, they must serve only the public good, people must consent to taxes, and it may not transfer power to any other body. Although Locke’s text suggests that James I was a reasonable and intelligent ruler who observed the fundamental laws of the kingdom and avoided breaching the trust that existed between himself and his people, historical evidence tells us otherwise. Those who live in a civil society with established laws and agreed-upon authorities are living together on common ground; those who do not are still in the state of nature. However, since children must honor their own parents as much as they honor their rulers, it follows that all rulers still are obligated to honor their parents just like their subjects do. As for minor crimes, they may also be punished by anyone in the commonwealth to deter future offenses. It’s also about having something positive and tangible—laws created by society and government that help define what freedom really means. They could only produce what their labor yielded and so there was little excess. When a man works hard for something, it is his and no one else’s. If either of these branches act without regard for their duties, they are breaching their trust with citizens and forsaking their claim to obedience from them. Legislative power is also supreme because it has the ability to make laws that others have to follow. If one refuses to submit to the rule of the majority, the original compact is meaningless. In this chapter, Locke summarizes his beliefs about the origins, ends and legitimacy of government. He can judge disputes between two subjects but there’s no way that a subject could ever dispute with him. A ruler who exercises legitimate power observes the fundamental laws of his country, understands that he has been given this power by his people, and seeks to protect them. King William III and Queen Mary II were in power, as monarch King James II had been deposed two years earlier. Hobbes did not believe this at all; he thought that it was necessary for the king or government to control religion so there wouldn’t be any conflicts in society. The example of Jephthah in Judges 1:16-28 illustrates Locke’s argument well, as it shows how Jephthah was driven out of Israel by his half-brothers and took refuge in Tob (Judg. A group of Catholic soldiers wanted to blow up Parliament on November 5, 1605. This occurs in times of war, when people are captured and enslaved. Third, a way to accomplish these ends is through collective governing bodies such as parliaments and senates that consist of multiple people whose job it is to make laws by compromising with one another. Locke's emphasis on rationality and reason in this chapter (and throughout the treatise) is notable. Our, Chapter 9: Of the End of Political Society and Government, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government. John Dunn believes modern readers misunderstand Locke’s use of ‘consent’. Ancient Rome and Venice serve as two examples of governments formed by free individuals who united together. However, Locke disagrees and says he will spend the rest of this chapter showing how God provided for mankind in common to have property even if they do not form a compact. On December 1st, 1955 a 42 year old African American woman named Rosa Parks boarded a bus in Montgomery and refused to give up her seat to a white passenger after the whites-only section was filled. Charles II ruled until his death in 1685. Robert Novick found John Locke’s theory of mixing property with something that isn’t yours to be problematic. A government only exists when it has the consent of the people, so if it fails them they can dissolve it. It is necessary to have laws in place so that people’s property and lives are protected. "Second Treatise of Government Chapter II: Of the State of Nature Summary and Analysis". In fact, Locke is commonly referred to as "The Reluctant Democrat." In a place where there is government, the people must agree that they can take land. He reiterated this idea later by saying that kings must bind themselves to the law or risk becoming noxious to their kingdom. Locke then discusses the relationship between master and servant. James wrote a book entitled The True Law of Free Monarchies that identified a theological basis for kingship but also counseled them to heed God’s word and tradition rather than acting rashly. Hobbes believed men were often carried away by passion and caprice, or acted with regard to their own self-interest, thus turning the state of nature into a state of war. Likewise, if he prevents meetings of representatives from taking place by closing down parliament or changes the election rules without people’s consent and against their common interest in order to give power to someone else who isn’t from that country, then it’s also his fault because only he has authority over these issues. Furthermore, when men give up their natural power to form civil society, they can expect to have obvious laws governing them. By then, a man should understand what the law is and how he’s bound by it; only then can he be said to be mature enough to live in a state of nature or under an organized government. He says that a king can lose his right to rule if he ruins the kingdom or makes himself dependent on another nation, as Nero did by burning Rome and Caligula did by making the Roman empire subject to foreign nations. Some argue that his work was most influential and others believe it had less influence than other works by Jean-Jacques Burlamaqui or Ray Forrest Harvey. Takeaways from Mark Zuckerberg: How to Build the Future (YC’s The Macro), The Best Things I Learned from Ashton Kutcher, Tech Investor, Best Summary + PDF: The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg, The Best Things I Learned from Sara Blakely, Spanx Founder, Best Summary + PDF: How Not to Die, by Michael Greger, Tim Ferriss's 17 Questions to Solve Your Life Problems, Poor Charlie's Almanack by Charlie Munger | Book Summary and PDF, 25 Cognitive Biases that Ruin Your Life, Explained, Born a Crime Book Summary, by Trevor Noah, Best Quotes from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Interactive exercises that teach you to apply what you've learned. Punishment can be used to give relief to victims, as well as prevent future crimes. Absolute monarchs have more power than this definition allows for; therefore they violate their subjects’ natural rights. Now, however, the issue is not food or animals but land. As you can see, the power that men had in a state of nature was relinquished once they joined a commonwealth. The last example is from 2 Kings and concerns the rebellion of Hezekiah against Assyria. Furthermore despite the fact that Locke was a father, he did not believe that this entitled him to absolute power over his children. Locke’s second treatise, the statement of his own political philosophy, rejects many statements in Leviathan (1651) by Thomas Hobbes, which advocates absolute power in the person of the king. If one of his children chose to leave or if they were taken away from him by their mother, then he could no longer control them. It will be difficult to change this system since it is built into the constitution itself.
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