John Locke Flashcards
Known as
The father of liberalism or to be more precise classical liberalism
Focused on
Rationalism of humanity and natural rights and need for limited government.
Key text
‘Two Treaties of Government’
Rejected ideas of
‘Divine right’ to govern or that the state was created by God. State was created by man and should serve people’s interests with their consent.
Farm analogy
No farmer - the animals hurt each other. But farmer could abuse animals so farmer needs to be restrained - limited government.
Before the state…
Before the state there was a ‘natural society’ that contained ‘natural liberties’ and ‘natural rights’.
People and the state should…
- people and the state should respect natural liberties and rights and a government was only doing its job if it improved people’s position compared to a ‘natural state’ (‘social contract’ theory). If it didn’t then people should reject the state.
He believed in….
Separation of powers in government and religious tolerance (but not atheists).
Did not believe in…
Democracy as we know it and it’s unclear if he believed in equality of men and women.
JL - the state governs by
The consent of the people
What did JL believe about state governing
State is governed by the consent of the people not by the will of god
Therefore social contract between government and governed
