John Locke Second Treatise Of Civil Government Essay Example
John Locke Second Treatise Of Civil Government Essay Example

John Locke Second Treatise Of Civil Government Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (704 words)
  • Published: February 6, 2019
  • Type: Essay
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John Locke - Second treatise, of civil government

1. First of all, John Locke reminds the reader from where the right of political power comes from. He expands the idea by saying, "we must consider what estate all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons as they think fit." Locke believes in equality among all people. Since every creature on earth was created by God, no one has advantages over another. He makes a strong suggestion by saying, "that creatures of the same species and rank, should also be equal one amongst another, without subordination or subjection, unless the lord and master of them all should, by any manifest declaration of his will, set on

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e above another, and confer on him, by an evident and clear appointment, an undoubted right to dominion and sovereignty." For people to confirm the state of Nature, a law is set that obliges people to follow and consult it. The Law of Nature brings many things that need to be followed by each person. Locke describes the law's consequences if not obeyed by saying, "the execution of the law of Nature is in that state put into every man's hands, whereby every one has a right to punish the transgressors of that law to such a degree as may hinder its violation." Every law is fair and equal to every person. As you have equal rights, you may also be punished equally if you don't obey it.

2. Locke is a bit confused for himself about this question. Then he backs it up simply

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by using the results that the state of Nature brings. Locke says, "man in the state of nature is an absolute lord of his own person and possessions, though he has such a right, yet the enjoyment of it is very uncertain and constantly exposed to the invasion of others; for all being kings as much as he, every man his equal, and the greater part no strict observers of equity and justice, the enjoyment of the property he has in this state is very unsafe, very insecure." This is the reason why man quits from such an idea and goes on finding a more compatible political society. The ability for the man to create such commonwealths that benefit everyone is a secure road for them to preserve their property, Locke explains. He makes a distinct statement about the preservation of property. He says, "The inconveniences that they are therein exposed to be the irregular and uncertain exercise of the power every man has of punishing the transgressions of others, make them take sanctuary under the established laws of government, and therein seek the preservation of their property. Change from the state of Nature to creating your own government is not a bad thing, according to John Locke. "Though men when they enter into society being give up their equality, liberty, and executive power they had in the state of Nature into the hands of the society, to be so far disposed of by the legislative as the good of the society shall require, yet it being only with an intention in every one the better to preserved himself, his liberty and property."

3. A government

simply dissolves when the people disagree with the laws that are made by other people. Locke says that, "when any one, or more, shall take upon them to make laws whom the people have not appointed so to do, they make laws without authority, which the people are not therefore bound to obey; by which means they come again to be out of subjection, and may constitute to themselves a new legislative, as they thing best, being in full liberty to resist the force of those who, without authority, would impose anything upon them". This is a brilliant statement by Locke that kind of parallels with the state of Nature. If a person does not like how he's governed, he makes decisions to constitute and new legislative. Though government cannot give back the rights that the people already gave up. Locke says that the only way a person can change

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