The United States constitution is one of the most prestigious documents that create a relationship as well as a social contract between the government and its citizens. John Locke described the US Constitution as a necessity to the natural state of all men. The Constitution protects citizens’ natural rights such as property and life with individual liberties. Locke’s influence began with his Second Treatise of Government whereby he argues that the structure and origin of a fair, legitimate and constitutionally based government is what the citizens care about. His views were included in the drafting of the original Constitution and used in the Declaration of Independence as well as the Bill of Rights. ("Foundations of American Government ushistory.org", 2016).
His crucial influence was also in the Declaration of Independence in 1776 whereby he argued it states that “all men
...are created equal, that they endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Locke’s Second Treatise argues that “a state also of equality wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no having more than another.” His influence is also witnessed in the Constitution whereby responsibility of the government to protect the people and their natural rights is crucial. (Guier, 2015).
In conclusion, Locke’s influence contrasts with previous perspectives on life, property and the state whereby the authoritarian and dictatorship form of government was practised. The previous perspectives allowed people with property to have more political power hence citizens were not allowed to vote as the people in power had the final say. Equality was also not an aspect to be discussed as slavery was at the
core of the state and people were treated as property for the rich and those with political influence.
References
- Foundations of American Government ushistory.org. (2016). Ushistory.org. Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/gov/2.asp
Guier, S. (2015). - John Locke’s Influence on the United States Constitution - Guier Law. Guier Law. Retrieved from http://guierlaw.com/john-lockes-influence-on-the-united-states-constitution/
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