John Locke The Limitations Of Government And The Natural...

John Locke: The Limitations of Government and the Natural State Brandon Lee 10/31/17 Outline Submit for: Political Theory (Govt 251) Fall 2017 Professor Lindskog I. John Locke had been influential in the American governmental system. His ideas outlined in the Second Treatise on Government, dramatically influenced the America revolution and the formation of the United States Declaration of Independence. Modern democracy can thank Locke for his ideas on equal rights, separation of power, and checks and balances. Although Locke’s ideas played an influential role in the American revolution, some argue his ideas are outdated. John Locke’s theory poses limitations that cannot be ignored. II. Natural law is a higher†¦show more content†¦III. All men are in a state of nature until there is a need to form government to protect life, liberty, and property. A. The state of nature exists where lacks a structured government to mediate disputes. This differentiates a state of nature from a political socirty, legitimate government, and state of war. 1. â€Å"Want of a common judge with authority, puts all men in a state of nature: force without right, upon a man s person, makes a state of war, both where there is, and is not, a common judge.† Chapter 3 sec 19 2. Locke asserts that there must be a government to resolve disputes between men. a) A limitation of this argument is that a third man can resolve disputes between two men without forming a government. B. A limitation set on man in a state of nature is his ability to horde property. 1. Locke asserts that man in a state of nature has the right to create property. a) The ability to create this property is limited by his ability to store or horde property. 1) If a man creates more food than he can eat, it will spoil. 2) If he creates more boots than he has feet, they will go unused. i. Locke asserts that man has the right to property that will not spoil, any property beyond this belongs to others. ii. When man begins to produce more than he can consume and share it creates a need to horde property. iii. Man has a need for government and money. IV. State of nature, Locke vs Hobbes. A. Hobbes argued that freedom in a state of nature meant that man wouldShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Thomas Hobbes s The Leviathan Essay1171 Words   |  5 Pagesthe views of these three men on the topic of human nature and government, but it was ultimately these philosophers who used natural law to explain the aspects of humanity, it was these men’s ideas who were key to the era of Enlightenment and life beyond it. Born on April 5 1588, Thomas Hobbes came to be known as one of the greatest philosophers in the world. In his most famous work, the Leviathan, he sets forth his ideas on government and law. 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