John Locke

Question 1

Who was John Locke?

Answer 1

John Locke is seen as the father of liberal philosophy, with his book ‘Two Treatises of Government’ 1690.

Question 2

Which type of liberal was John Locke?

Answer 2

John Locke was a classical liberal.

Question 3

What was John Locke’s view of human nature?

Answer 3

John Locke argued that all humans are born free and born rational, and that individuals should be given the widest possible freedom
(allowing them to act according to their will which is based on their possession of reason)

Question 4

What was John Locke’s view of the state?

Answer 4

John Locke believed in a representative state, based on the consent of the governed
(allowing the state to improve their situation in return)

Question 5

What was John Locke’s view of society?

Answer 5

John Locke believed that society predates the state, there were ‘natural’ societies with natural laws and natural rights
(therefore society should not be intervened by the state)

Question 6

What was John Locke’s view of the economy?

Answer 6

John Locke argued that the free market, based on the principle of private property, leaves the role of the state as the protection of property and the enforcement of contracts.
(allowing human nature’s rationalism to flourish in the economic realm)