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Single Idea 19870

[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 1. Slavery ]

Full Idea

He who makes an attempt to enslave me thereby puts himself into a state of war with me.

Gist of Idea

If you try to enslave me, you have declared war on me

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 017)

Book Ref

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.125

A Reaction

So presumably actual slaves are in a state of permanent war with their owners. What of a woman who is enslaved by her husband?

The 50 ideas from 'Second Treatise of Government'

5654 The Second Treatise explores the consequences of the contractual view of the state [Locke, by Scruton]
6580 Locke (and Marx) held that ownership of objects is a natural relation, based on the labour put into it [Locke, by Fogelin]
20520 Locke says 'mixing of labour' entitles you to land, as well as nuts and berries [Wolff,J on Locke]
19863 Politics is the right to make enforceable laws to protect property and the state, for the common good [Locke]
19865 There is no subjection in nature, and all creatures of the same species are equal [Locke]
19864 In nature men can dispose of possessions and their persons in any way that is possible [Locke]
19866 The rational law of nature says we are all equal and independent, and should show mutual respect [Locke]
19867 Reparation and restraint are the only justifications for punishment [Locke]
19868 It is only by a law of Nature that we can justify punishing foreigners [Locke]
19869 Punishment should make crime a bad bargain, leading to repentance and deterrence [Locke]
19870 If you try to enslave me, you have declared war on me [Locke]
19871 Freedom is not absence of laws, but living under laws arrived at by consent [Locke]
19872 The animals and fruits of the earth belong to mankind [Locke]
19875 A man's labour gives ownership rights - as long as there are fair shares for all [Locke]
19874 If a man mixes his labour with something in Nature, he thereby comes to own it [Locke]
19873 We all own our bodies, and the work we do is our own [Locke]
19876 Gathering natural fruits gives ownership; the consent of other people is irrelevant [Locke]
19877 Fountain water is everyone's, but a drawn pitcher of water has an owner [Locke]
19878 Mixing labour with a thing bestows ownership - as long as the thing is not wasted [Locke]
19879 A man owns land if he cultivates it, to the limits of what he needs [Locke]
19880 All value depends on the labour involved [Locke]
19881 The aim of law is not restraint, but to make freedom possible [Locke]
19882 We are not created for solitude, but are driven into society by our needs [Locke]
19883 Slaves captured in a just war have no right to property, so are not part of civil society [Locke]
19884 There is only a civil society if the members give up all of their natural executive rights [Locke]
19885 Absolute monarchy is inconsistent with civil society [Locke]
19886 The idea that absolute power improves mankind is confuted by history [Locke]
19887 Unanimous consent makes a united community, which is then ruled by the majority [Locke]
19888 A society only begins if there is consent of all the individuals to join it [Locke]
19892 Children are not born into citizenship of a state [Locke]
6702 If anyone enjoys the benefits of government (even using a road) they give tacit assent to its laws [Locke]
19893 Anyone who enjoys the benefits of a state has given tacit consent to be part of it [Locke]
19894 You can only become an actual member of a commonwealth by an express promise [Locke]
19895 Even the legislature must be preceded by a law which gives it power to make laws [Locke]
19898 Soldiers can be commanded to die, but not to hand over their money [Locke]
19899 The consent of the people is essential for any tax [Locke]
19900 The executive must not be the legislature, or they may exempt themselves from laws [Locke]
19901 The people have supreme power, to depose a legislature which has breached their trust [Locke]
19906 All countries are in a mutual state of nature [Locke]
19902 Any obstruction to the operation of the legislature can be removed forcibly by the people [Locke]
19903 Despotism is arbitrary power to kill, based neither on natural equality, nor any social contract [Locke]
19905 People stripped of their property are legitimately subject to despotism [Locke]
19907 There is a natural right to inheritance within a family [Locke]
19908 Rebelling against an illegitimate power is no sin [Locke]
19904 Legitimate prisoners of war are subject to despotism, because that continues the state of war [Locke]
19909 A politic society is created from a state of nature by a unanimous agreement [Locke]
19910 A single will creates the legislature, which is duty-bound to preserve that will [Locke]
19911 If legislators confiscate property, or enslave people, they are no longer owed obedience [Locke]
19912 Self-defence is natural, but not the punishment of superiors by inferiors [Locke]
19913 A master forfeits ownership of slaves he abandons [Locke]