Full Idea
Captives, taken in a just and lawful war, and such only, are subject to a despotical power, which, as it arises not from compact, so neither is it capable of any, but is the state of war continued.
Gist of Idea
Legitimate prisoners of war are subject to despotism, because that continues the state of war
Source
John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 205)
Book Reference
Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.205
A Reaction
How long after a war finishes is such despotism legitimate? What happened to the German prisoners in Russia in 1945? Locke defined despotism as the right to kill, but that is expressly contrary to the rules of war, look you.
Related Idea
Idea 19903 Despotism is arbitrary power to kill, based neither on natural equality, nor any social contract [Locke]