more from John Locke

Single Idea 19895

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / b. Legislature]

Full Idea

The first and fundamental positive law of all commonwealths is the establishing of the legislative power, as the first and fundamental natural law which is to govern even the legislative.

Gist of Idea

Even the legislature must be preceded by a law which gives it power to make laws

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 134)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.183


A Reaction

I think Rousseau says that there cannot be a law which enables the general will to set up legislative powers. It just seems to be something which happens. Locke is threatened with an infinite regress. What legitimises the enabling law?