Theory on Progress

Question 1

What is labour?

Answer 1

Labour is ‘conveniences’ of value and benefits to mankind - exploitation of land is ‘improvement’ over hunter-gatherer

Question 2

What is the key to ‘progress’?

Answer 2

Improving nature through labour.

Question 3

What is the symbol of a ‘better life’?

Answer 3

It is the assumption that there is a universal desire to acquire more ‘conveniences’.

Question 4

What does the introduction of money mean for society? What does this justify?

Answer 4

The introduction of money through mutual consent bypasses the spoilage proviso - this is a justification for the enclosure of more and more land for commercial activities.

Question 5

What is the implication of thinking nature must be ‘improved’? And the consequences of this thinking?

Answer 5

This implies that nature = wasteland unless cultivated.
This is the justification for colonial and capitalist practices.
Lead to ecology.

Question 6

What is progress, simply, for Locke?

Answer 6

It is the protection of property through social contract and government.