John Locke 1632-1704 Flashcards
Book
Two Treaties of Government 1690, generally regarded the cornerstone of liberal thought
what popular belief of the time did Locke reject?
that the state was part of gods creation, disputing the idea that the state had been created by a celestial power, involving monarchs who had the “divine right to govern”. Similarly, rejected the notion that ordinary people were “subjects” of the state, with a religious obligation to obey the monarch
Locke on the state of nature
Owing to Locke’s upbeat view of human nature, and his belief it was guided by rationalism, he believed that the state of nature was underpinned by “natural laws” “natural liberties” and “natural rights”
what must the state of law do?
the state of nature was not one people would leave at any cost, and the alternative “state of law” would therefore need to improve upon peoples lives.
how would the state of law be legitimate?
if it respected peoples “natural rights” and “natural laws”, thus ensuring individuals were never worse up than in the state of nature. The states body should therefore embody natural rights and natural liberties that preceded it
what must the state of law have?
The state needed voluntary consent to accept their ruling in return for the state improving their situation.
because of its contractual nature, what would the state have to embody?
the state would have to embody a limited government, limited to always represent the interests of the governed. The states limited character would be confirmed by dispersal of its power.
