Ideas from 'Second Treatise of Government' by John Locke [1690], by Theme Structure
[found in 'Two Treatises of Government' by Locke,John [Everyman 1988,0-460-11751-3]].
green numbers give full details |
back to texts
|
expand these ideas
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / b. The natural life
19906
|
All countries are in a mutual state of nature
|
19882
|
We are not created for solitude, but are driven into society by our needs
|
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 3. Natural Values / a. Natural freedom
19864
|
In nature men can dispose of possessions and their persons in any way that is possible
|
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 3. Natural Values / b. Natural equality
19865
|
There is no subjection in nature, and all creatures of the same species are equal
|
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 3. Natural Values / c. Natural rights
19866
|
The rational law of nature says we are all equal and independent, and should show mutual respect
|
19872
|
The animals and fruits of the earth belong to mankind
|
19907
|
There is a natural right to inheritance within a family
|
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State
19863
|
Politics is the right to make enforceable laws to protect property and the state, for the common good
|
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract
5654
|
The Second Treatise explores the consequences of the contractual view of the state [Scruton]
|
19888
|
A society only begins if there is consent of all the individuals to join it
|
6702
|
If anyone enjoys the benefits of government (even using a road) they give tacit assent to its laws
|
19909
|
A politic society is created from a state of nature by a unanimous agreement
|
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / d. General will
19910
|
A single will creates the legislature, which is duty-bound to preserve that will
|
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 4. Citizenship
19892
|
Children are not born into citizenship of a state
|
19893
|
Anyone who enjoys the benefits of a state has given tacit consent to be part of it
|
19894
|
You can only become an actual member of a commonwealth by an express promise
|
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / b. Monarchy
19885
|
Absolute monarchy is inconsistent with civil society
|
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / c. Despotism
19886
|
The idea that absolute power improves mankind is confuted by history
|
19903
|
Despotism is arbitrary power to kill, based neither on natural equality, nor any social contract
|
19905
|
People stripped of their property are legitimately subject to despotism
|
19904
|
Legitimate prisoners of war are subject to despotism, because that continues the state of war
|
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / b. Legislature
19895
|
Even the legislature must be preceded by a law which gives it power to make laws
|
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / c. Executive
19900
|
The executive must not be the legislature, or they may exempt themselves from laws
|
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 4. Changing the State / c. Revolution
19902
|
Any obstruction to the operation of the legislature can be removed forcibly by the people
|
19908
|
Rebelling against an illegitimate power is no sin
|
19911
|
If legislators confiscate property, or enslave people, they are no longer owed obedience
|
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy
19887
|
Unanimous consent makes a united community, which is then ruled by the majority
|
19901
|
The people have supreme power, to depose a legislature which has breached their trust
|
25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 1. Slavery
19913
|
A master forfeits ownership of slaves he abandons
|
19870
|
If you try to enslave me, you have declared war on me
|
19883
|
Slaves captured in a just war have no right to property, so are not part of civil society
|
25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 6. Political freedom
19871
|
Freedom is not absence of laws, but living under laws arrived at by consent
|
25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 4. Economic equality
19880
|
All value depends on the labour involved
|
25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 3. Alienating rights
19873
|
We all own our bodies, and the work we do is our own
|
19884
|
There is only a civil society if the members give up all of their natural executive rights
|
25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 4. Property rights
19877
|
Fountain water is everyone's, but a drawn pitcher of water has an owner
|
6580
|
Locke (and Marx) held that ownership of objects is a natural relation, based on the labour put into it [Fogelin]
|
20520
|
Locke says 'mixing of labour' entitles you to land, as well as nuts and berries [Wolff,J]
|
19875
|
A man's labour gives ownership rights - as long as there are fair shares for all
|
19874
|
If a man mixes his labour with something in Nature, he thereby comes to own it
|
19876
|
Gathering natural fruits gives ownership; the consent of other people is irrelevant
|
19878
|
Mixing labour with a thing bestows ownership - as long as the thing is not wasted
|
19879
|
A man owns land if he cultivates it, to the limits of what he needs
|
19898
|
Soldiers can be commanded to die, but not to hand over their money
|
25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 2. The Law / a. Legal system
19881
|
The aim of law is not restraint, but to make freedom possible
|
25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 2. The Law / c. Natural law
19868
|
It is only by a law of Nature that we can justify punishing foreigners
|
25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 3. Punishment / a. Right to punish
19869
|
Punishment should make crime a bad bargain, leading to repentance and deterrence
|
19867
|
Reparation and restraint are the only justifications for punishment
|
19912
|
Self-defence is natural, but not the punishment of superiors by inferiors
|
25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 4. Taxation
19899
|
The consent of the people is essential for any tax
|