John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government: Key Concepts
John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government (1689)
Context and Purpose
- Intended to support the rising during the Exclusion Crisis.
- Associated with the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
- Presents two pieces of political thought to legitimize revolution.
- Argues that revolution cannot be justified unless the leviathan is unstable.
- Posits that if a government becomes tyrannical, the people have the duty to rebel.
- Tyranny includes violating the ability to pursue happiness or taking away freedom, among other actions.
- In these cases, revolution is justified.
The First Treatise: Refuting Robert Filmer
- Examines the Bible in depth to refute Robert Filmer’s arguments for the divine right of kings.
- Asserts that neither the Old nor the New Testament justifies absolute power.
- Contrasts with Louis XIV’s claim of being made King by the grace of God.
- Describes three types of power in the Bible:
- Patriarchal: The power of a man in his family.
- Political: Not necessarily monarchical.
- Despotic: Tyrannical and absolute power.
- Concludes that nowhere in the Bible justifies the rule of Louis XI, “the Saint King,” a typical example of absolute power (“I am the state”).
The Importance of Civic Virtue
A political community requires virtù, a certain level of arête, or excellence, among its citizens. Historically, wealthy individuals demonstrated their commitment to the community by, for example, funding the construction of public buildings. When this commitment waned, the community was weakened. Contemporary examples, such as demonstrations for Catalonian independence, can be seen as displays of commitment to a community.
The Second Treatise: Key Concepts
State of Nature
- Neutral: An analytical mechanism.
- Governed by Natural Law: The right to survival and the means to survive. These are universal laws inherent to all individuals from birth.
- These laws predate written laws and are considered less hostile than those proposed by Hobbes.
- Includes the right to:
- Liberty
- Health
- Property
Social Contract
- Involves the transference of rights to the government.
- Example: The Ten Commandments are considered natural law. “You shall not kill,” yet the state may impose the death penalty, which seemingly contradicts natural law.
- Locke argues that natural law guarantees life, liberty, health, and property.
- Everyone has the right to the minimum means to survive.
- Individuals cede a portion of their freedom to a central authority for the common good.
- Locke accepts slavery only in the case of a Just War.
- Although he only limits it to prisoners in case the Just War actually takes place.
Property
- Encompasses the notions of life and liberty, as well as “possessions.”
- Limited by waste.
- Limited by the capacity of one’s own work.
Right to Revolt
- Unlike Hobbes, who saw anarchy as the primary threat in politics, Locke believed that everyone has the right and duty to revolt against a tyrannical government.
Separation of Powers
- Legislative-centered: Emphasizes the importance of a strong legislative branch.
John Locke, considered the father of modern liberalism, established the foundations of this ideology. His ideas continue to be highly influential in contemporary political thought.