John Locke and the Declaration of Independence

Two Treatises on Government: 1689

• First treatise argues against the Divine Right of Kings– Says political authority is not derived from

religious authority– All men are created equal

The State of Nature

• The natural condition of mankind is a state of perfect and complete liberty to conduct one’s life as one best sees fit, free from interference

• One is not free to do anything one pleases, since each person is bound by the Law of Nature

• The Law of Nature, given by God, commands that we not harm others with regards to their “life, health, liberty, or possessions.”

The State of Nature

• Because we all belong equally to God, and because we cannot take away that which is rightfully His, we are prohibited from harming one another

• The State of Nature is a state of liberty where persons are free to pursue their own interests and plans while restricted from imposing upon others.

Private Property

• Men are entitled to as much land as they can cultivate themselves – property is “owned” when a person mixes his labor with the raw materials of the land

• Men cannot take more than their fair share since God gave nature to all mankind for its common subsistence

Men form Commonwealths or Societies

• The State of Nature is abandoned by families when they enter compacts with other families in order to punish those who transgress the law of nature.

• They give up some of their powers to the majority and become a political body.

• Governments are formed to protect people’s property and well-being

Dissolving Government

• When the executive power of a government devolves into tyranny (unlawful force), the tyrant puts himself into a state of war with the people

• The people have the same right to self-defense as they had before making a compact to establish a society in the first place.

• When a government no longer protects, but instead oppresses its citizens, the social contract is dissolved and men may seek a better form of government.