John Locke

John Locke uses the fundamental principles of the state of nature as a foundation
for his conclusion about the principles of politics. He notes that human nature
inevitably inclines people to leave the state of nature and enter civil society.
He begins with the state of nature to show the many factors that would incline
human beings to enter into a governmental society. Locke details why the state of
nature does not work and why there is a need for civil society.

The state of nature is the basis of Lockes essay. It asserts that all people were
born into a state of equality and no one man has authority or political power over
any one but himself. In the state of nature, men and women have these
unchallengeable rights. The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it.
Under the law of nature, each person is free to pursue life, liberty, and property.
These rights are available to us all based on a couple of concepts. The first is
that we all are the workmanship of God, and should treat each other in the way He
would have us treat each other. The second is the moral concept that we are all
born with the same capacities and faculties and therefore, no one man is any less
equal than another. The third is the prudential argument, which states that it is
in our own interest to follow the laws of nature. Since the right to execute the
law of nature gives every man a right to be judge and jury, the prudential reason
for following the laws is that if you commit a crime against anther, they or their
family will seek to punish you. In the state of nature, any offense that can be
committed must be punished appropriately. The punishment should be as much as
necessary to make for repentance and deter any such future acts of crime. A
transgression against one man is one against society as a whole. Locke states that
any person who sets out to injure himself or others should not be given equal
rights under the law of nature. Unfortunately, the right of each man to protect
his own rights, if acted upon, would lead to chaos. In order to avoid this chaos,
people agree to a social contract where all men are governed by one common body of
rule.

Locke begins his principles of politics with the state of nature in order to show
that no political authority can be formed without the consent of men to give up
certain powers to a political body. It also establishes the main reason for man to
enter into a political society, which is, the preservation of ones life, liberty,
and property. A government is formed with the consent of all men who come under
its authority. The type of political power is established based on a majority and
this power has a duty to act on behalf of all men within its power. In entering
into a government, man gives up some liberties, with the intention of better
preserving his fundamental rights. One of the main things he gives up is natural
freedom and must abide by the laws set up by civil society. Another is the right
to enforce the laws of nature, except when the government is unable to protect
those under its authority. Locke is trying to show that it is in the best interest
of all members within a society to form a government in order to have better
protection of their fundamental rights. These rights are the main foundation for
Lockes principles of politics and are based on the concept of the state of nature.
Without this, his conclusions are unfounded.

Locke states that society was first formed with the union of man and woman, which
led to man, woman, and children. Until the child is old enough to make decisions
for himself, he is under parental rule. Because of this paternal power, human
nature dictates that we are predisposed to a government of similar type, a
monarchy. Since we are used to being governed by one man, our father, we see how
well such a power preserves all of our fundamental rights. Therefore, we naturally
seek a political society of a similar makeup. Locke is not necessarily advocating
monarchy; he is, however, resigned to the fact that since infancy man is part of
some form of civil society. We can, therefore, expect that he will seek out a
similar form of government to rule him as an adult.

Locke also uses the inadequacies of the state of nature to show why man would be
inclined to enter into a political society. In the state of nature, he sees life
as being not so safe. If everyone were to obey the laws of nature, the state of
nature could work. Unfortunately, this would not be the case; there will always be
lazy people who might take the fruit of anothers labor. In addition there will
people with a disposition to cause trouble. In other words there are many aspects
of individual human nature that would make it impossible for all people to exist in
a state of nature following the laws of nature. Another big issue is that the
state of nature has no settled standing laws that would give a clear definition of
the laws of nature. This causes much confusion about the boundaries of the law of
nature. Without a government there is no unbiased judge who is able to enforce and
interpret the laws of nature for us. Within the state of nature the weak may be
unable to punish those who violate their rights. All of these factors aid in
making the state of nature one of chaos. I feel that all men are not really equal
in the state of nature. The weak are easily dominated by the strong, and because
of their weakness, have little recourse when their rights are violated.

It seems as though men agreed to enter into a civil society to protect themselves
from each other. There is a need for consistency, trust, morality, and the idea of
fairness for all. Government was formed not only from a foundation of equality,
but also as a means to achieve equality within society. Once a government is
formed, it exists for the well being of all, thus protecting rights to life,
liberty, and property. For this reason, people are willing to give up certain
rights in order to obtain a greater good for all.

Through the use of the state of nature, Locke details the various conditions
of human nature that lead men to migrate towards some form of government. It is
shown that without executive power, men are left to interpret and execute the laws
of nature on their own. Unfortunately, individuals will interpret these laws in a
self serving way and will execute them based on their strength relative to those
around them. This leads to inequality. This lack of equality leads to inevitable
chaos. To avoid this chaos it seems only natural for man to form a government in
which equality seems more probable. In doing so, it is more feasible that man
will have the desire to work hard and be more industrious knowing the fruits of his
labor will be protected by his government.

Category : Political Science

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