Single Idea 19906

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / b. The natural life]

Full Idea

All commonwealths are in a state of Nature one with another.

Gist of Idea

All countries are in a mutual state of nature

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 153)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.211


A Reaction

A striking remark. It is easy to think that the state of nature no longer exists. International law attempts to rectify this, but diplomacy is much more like negotiations in nature than it is like obedience to laws.