John Winthrop, "On Liberty" (Speech before the General Court, 1645) – Flashcards
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1. Where, according to Winthrop, does the governing authority of Winthrop and the magistrates originate? Was Puritan society a theocratic dictatorship, a representative system, a combination of the two, or something else entirely?
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The Puritan authority originated from God. Their society has a representative system because they represent themselves in the court of law. The people have a right to representation.
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2. Are Winthrop and the other elected officials somehow morally or spiritually superior to those whom they govern? How does Winthrop address this question, and what does this reveal about his conception of government?
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The elected officials are not superior, they are equal to those they govern. Winthrop reveals that he wants his people to be honest and to be governed by civil law. He knows that the magistrates can make mistakes and that they also need to be under scrutiny of civil laws.
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3. What basic covenant does Winthrop identify between those who govern and those who are governed?
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Both are responsible for respecting civil law and God's law. The governed people have a responsibility to follow the rules of civil law and those who govern also bare the law.
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4. What is natural liberty, and what is civil liberty? Which is essential to the viability of the Puritan community, and why?
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Natural liberty is corrupt by nature. Civil liberty is the laws that originated with God. Their community needs to follow God's will, and civil law. The governed are subject to authority because its the rules of society and its the will of God. Freedom and liberty will be preserved.
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5. How does Winthrop compare the form of liberty that exists under Puritan government to that within a marriage? How does he characterize the spirit or attitude with which a person must submit to that authority?
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Winthrop talks about how a wife is a subject to her husband. His responsibility is to keep her safe. If she doesn't follow his guidance then he says she will have no rest.t. If people do evil within their society, then there are consequences for their actions. The example of liberty in a marriage compared to government liberties says in order to have liberty the wife must listen just as the governed must listen to civil authority. The governed are bound by the duties of civil law and follow the law so that our freedom will be preserved.
