Full Idea
It is plain, by the practices of governments themselves, as well as by the laws of right reason, that a child is born a subject of no country nor government.
Gist of Idea
Children are not born into citizenship of a state
Source
John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 118)
Book Reference
Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.177
A Reaction
At what age do they become citizens, given that there is no induction ceremony? If a small British child were attacked overseas, we would expect the British government to defend its rights.
Related Idea
Idea 19893 Anyone who enjoys the benefits of a state has given tacit consent to be part of it [Locke]