Cecily Zamora
John Locke's Two Treatises of Government, published in 1689, is a work of political philosophy that presents Locke's ideas for a more civilised society based on natural rights and contract theory. The Second Treatise outlines Locke's argument that people have rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property, that exist independently of the laws of any particular society. In the state of nature, individuals are under no obligation to obey one another but are each their own judge of what the law of nature requires. This natural state is also one of equality, where all power and jurisdiction are reciprocal and no one has more than another. While Locke's influence during the American Revolutionary period is disputed, his ideas provided strong support for the intellectual movements of the American and French Revolutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | John Locke |
| Date of publication | 1689 or 1690 |
| Theme | Natural rights, social contract theory, and the role of civil government |
| Key ideas | People have natural rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property, that are independent of societal laws; legitimate political government arises from a social contract where people transfer some rights to the government in exchange for protection and promotion of the public good; the will of the majority should prevail, subject to the law of nature; the right of revolution against governments that fail to protect people's rights |
| Influence | Provided strong support for the American Revolution; frequently cited during the American Revolutionary period, though the extent of its influence is disputed; Provided support for the French Revolution |
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What You'll Learn
The state of nature
John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" is a work of political philosophy that was published anonymously in 1689. The text is divided into two parts: the First Treatise and the Second Treatise. The First Treatise focuses on refuting the theory of the divine right of kings, while the Second Treatise outlines Locke's vision for a more civilized society based on natural rights and contract theory.
The Second Treatise begins with a depiction of the "state of nature," a concept central to Locke's political philosophy. In the state of nature, individuals are under no obligation to obey one another but are each themselves judges of what the law of nature requires. This natural state is characterized by perfect freedom, where individuals are free to act and dispose of their possessions and persons as they see fit within the bounds of the law of nature. It is also a state of equality, where all power and jurisdiction are reciprocal, and no one has more than another.
Locke's concept of the state of nature has been interpreted in various ways. Some commentators define it as a state where there is a lack of a common judge with authority, or legitimate political authority, to judge disputes, and where people live according to the law of reason. In this interpretation, the state of nature is distinct from political society, which has a legitimate government, and from a state of war, where individuals fail to abide by the law of reason.
However, Simmons challenges this view, arguing that the state of nature is a relational concept describing moral relations between individuals rather than the absence of a geographical government. He notes that even in societies with legitimate governments, certain individuals like visiting aliens, children, and those with a "defect" of reason can still be considered in a state of nature.
Locke's depiction of the state of nature serves as a foundation for his social contract theory. He argues that individuals in the state of nature conditionally transfer some of their rights to the government to ensure the stable enjoyment of their lives, liberty, and property. This theory justifies political government as a result of a social contract between the governed and the governors.
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The right of revolution
John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" is a work of political philosophy that was published anonymously in 1689. It is considered a response to the political situation in England at the time, specifically the exclusion controversy surrounding the potential succession of James, the Roman Catholic brother of King Charles II, to the English throne. The work is divided into two treatises, with the first refuting the ideas presented by Sir Robert Filmer in his work "Patriarcha", and the second outlining Locke's vision for a more civilized society based on natural rights and contract theory.
In the Second Treatise, Locke introduces the concept of the state of nature, wherein individuals are under no obligation to obey one another but are each their own judge of what the law of nature requires. This state of nature is characterised by perfect freedom, where individuals can act and dispose of their possessions and persons as they see fit within the bounds of the law of nature. Locke argues that in this state, no one has more power than another, and all power and jurisdiction are reciprocal.
The Second Treatise also covers the topic of political power, which Locke defines as the right to make laws with penalties, including the penalty of death, for the regulation and preservation of property, and the defence of the commonwealth from foreign injury. Locke asserts that political power must ultimately serve the public good. He emphasises the importance of the consent of the governed, stating that governments exist by the consent of the people to protect their rights and promote the public good.
One of the most significant contributions of the Second Treatise is Locke's concept of the right of revolution. Locke declares that under natural law, all people have the right to life, liberty, and estate. He argues that if the executive power fails to provide the conditions necessary for people to enjoy their rights under natural law, the people have the right to remove it, even by force if necessary. This idea became a crucial part of his social contract theory and was later echoed during the American and French Revolutions.
Locke's ideas on the right of revolution were influenced by his understanding of the state of nature and natural rights. In the state of nature, individuals are free from any superior power on earth and are not subject to the will or legislative authority of others. This natural liberty is a fundamental aspect of Locke's philosophy, and he argues that it is a universal right that all people possess. By connecting the right of revolution to natural law and natural rights, Locke provides a philosophical justification for revolution when a government fails to uphold the rights and liberties of its citizens.
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Conquest and slavery
John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" is a work of political philosophy published anonymously in 1689. The text is a foundational text in the theory of liberalism, contrasting with Locke's earlier conservative writings. In it, Locke outlines his ideas for a more civilised society based on natural rights and contract theory.
Locke's views on conquest and slavery are complex. On the one hand, he acknowledges the historical importance of conquest in establishing political authority, particularly in the context of English monarchy claiming descent from William the Conqueror. However, Locke challenges the notion that conquest alone is sufficient to establish legitimate authority. He argues that even in a just war, the spoils are limited and that the right of conquest does not extend to the estates of the conquered but only to reparations sufficient to cover the costs of war.
Locke also discusses the relationship between conquest and slavery. He defines slavery as the state of war continued between a lawful conqueror and a captive, where the captive is subject to the absolute, arbitrary power of the conqueror. However, Locke argues that slavery cannot be justified through contract, as men do not have the power over themselves to sell or grant that power to another. He further states that aggressors in an unjust war can claim no right of conquest, and anything despoiled may be retaken as soon as the dispossessed are able to do so.
Locke's understanding of natural law also influences his views on conquest and slavery. He asserts that under natural law, all people have the right to life, liberty, and estate. This implies that slavery, as a violation of these natural rights, is illegitimate. Locke goes so far as to declare that when legislators attempt to enslave the people under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are then justified in revolting against their government.
In summary, Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" addresses the topics of conquest and slavery within the context of political authority and natural law. He challenges the notion that conquest alone legitimises authority, emphasises the limitations of conquest, and defines slavery in relation to absolute power. Locke's belief in natural rights, including freedom from slavery, forms a key part of his political philosophy.
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Property and self-ownership
John Locke's Two Treatises of Government, published in 1689, is a significant work of political philosophy. It is a foundational text in the theory of liberalism, outlining Locke's ideas for a more civilised society based on natural rights and contract theory. The Second Treatise, in particular, covers notable themes such as the state of nature, conquest and slavery, property, representative government, and the right of revolution.
Locke's concept of property is closely tied to his understanding of self-ownership and natural rights. He defines political power as the right to make laws regulating and preserving property, employing the force of the community to execute these laws and defend the commonwealth. Locke argues that civil society was established for the protection of property, which he interprets broadly to include "life, liberty, and estate". This interpretation is derived from the Latin root of "property", "proprius", referring to what is one's own, including oneself.
In the state of nature, individuals have the freedom to act and dispose of their possessions and persons as they see fit within the boundaries of the law of nature. This natural law includes the right to life, liberty, and property, which Locke considers fundamental. According to Locke, individuals must possess some property outside of society, implying that property rights exist independently of societal laws.
Locke further justifies the importance of property rights by arguing that individuals have a natural right to their labour, which forms the basis for property ownership. He suggests that God created human beings with the capacity for property rights, allowing them to own their labour and respect each other's property rights. This notion of self-ownership and property rights is integral to Locke's philosophy and sets the foundation for his understanding of legitimate political government.
Locke's ideas on property and self-ownership have had a lasting impact on political thought. They provided a strong intellectual foundation for the American and French Revolutions, influencing the concepts of individual rights and just revolution. Locke's philosophy continues to shape our understanding of the relationship between individuals, their rights, and the role of government in protecting those rights, particularly in the context of property ownership and self-determination.
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The social contract
John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" is a work of political philosophy that was published anonymously in 1689. The work is divided into two treatises, with the first attacking patriarchalism and the second outlining Locke's vision for a more civilised society based on natural rights and contract theory.
The Second Treatise begins by depicting a state of nature, wherein individuals are under no obligation to obey one another but are each themselves judges of what the law of nature requires. This state of nature is characterised by perfect freedom, where individuals can act and dispose of their possessions as they see fit, without having to ask for permission or depend on the will of others. Locke argues that in this state, one man may come to have power over another, but it is not an absolute power. Punishment, for instance, is justified only as a means of reparation and restraint.
Locke's concept of the state of nature has been interpreted in various ways. Some commentators have understood it as a state where there is no legitimate political authority, and people live according to the law of reason. This state is distinct from political society, where a legitimate government exists, and from a state of war, where men fail to abide by the law of reason.
Locke defines political power as the right to make laws with penalties, including the death penalty, for the regulation and preservation of property, and for the defence of the commonwealth from foreign injury. He argues that political power originates from the consent of the governed, and that legitimate political government is the result of a social contract. In this social contract, individuals in the state of nature conditionally transfer some of their rights to the government to ensure the stable enjoyment of their lives, liberty, and property.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a work of political philosophy published anonymously in 1689 by John Locke.
The First Treatise attacks patriarchalism in the form of a sentence-by-sentence refutation of Robert Filmer's Patriarcha. The Second Treatise outlines Locke's ideas for a more civilised society based on natural rights and contract theory.
Locke claims that people have rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property, that are independent of the laws of any particular society. He argues that political power is derived from the consent of the governed.
Locke's ideas provided strong support for the intellectual movements of both the American and French Revolutions. His notions of people's rights and the role of civil government were echoed in the Declaration of Independence.
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