Political Theory LOCKE
1. Compare and Contrast Hobbes and Locke's states of nature. Why do they wish to trace the origins of the state/society to "nature"? What are they attempting to show us about human nature and government?
-Locke believed that it was human nature to be naturally social and know between right and wrong, in a state of this nature peace would be the norm. Hobbes asserts that man is not a social animal and has no sense of innate morality. In this state of nature their would be discord, or the state of war. -Locke- in "state of nature" all men all men are free to behave and protect the rights they were born having.
Describe Locke's idea of a social contract. What form of government does this support and why?
A social contrract: be occupying a certain space and being citizens, we give our approval to be governed. establishes civil society, informal agreement Through the social contract, men transfer to the newly created community the power to execute the natural law, which is the power they held in the state of nature. Believes in the separation of powers. All gov't should protect property. A social contract is meant to benefit those involved through systematic peace enforced by a state. Since Locke advocates government by the people he is a supported of a mixed constitutional government.
Who is John Locke? On what grounds does Locke refute Filmer's arguments?
Considered the father of classical liberalism, Locke's was an influential enlightenment thinker. He aims to refute the divine right of kings and criticizes the comparison between a family unit and political unit, since political rule is backed by the community and for the public good. He also argues that in the state of nature everyone is equal and no one has power over one another, crimes are punished according to their severity. 1. believed people are born rational, the government is the servant to the people 2. should only intervene as a disinterested judge to resolve conflicts
What does David Hume find wrong with of Locke's theory? Why do Hume's criticisms create a dilemma for liberal thinkers?
Hume doesn't agree with Locke in that humans have the natural right to property, instead it is only justified because there are a limited number of resources. He believed in unequal distribution of resources to promote thrift and industry.
How does Locke defend private property? (Four reasons why property is good)
Locke argues that under natural law people are protected in regards to property. This ownership refers to life, people's right to rule over themselves, liberty, the right to do what you want as long as it doesn't interfere with other's rights, and estate, the right to whatever someone creates or gains by gift or trade. 1. express our individualism (God gave us natural resources in and around us, for human use)- for it to be of use to us, it must be our own (tie Aristotle/public good) 2 Best ways to achieve social progress, turn God given resources into human benefits 3 labor determines one's right to property and its value (labor can be intellectual and physical) 4. When you mix your labor with your property, you've earned the right to property 5 even before social contract, families/ neighborhoods have come together to set property boundaries 6 Gov't gives legal recognition and existing property claims never redistribute 7 human beings are naturally fond of material possession- natural justification of private property 8 Private property gives its owners a link with posterity- its virtually impossible for one to not have private property according to Locke's definition
1. According to Locke, why do men leave the state of nature?
Locke claimed that people joined society and conditionally transferred some of their rights to the government in order to ensure more stability. A government is only legitimate when consented by the people and meant to ensure laws to protect its people and promote the common good; people could enjoy their life, liberty, and property. Men are said to leave the state of nature when they voluntarily give their natural right to self-defense to a common public authority. The power of the government is nothing except the natural power of each person resigned into the hands of the community.
How does Adam Smith's automatic social mechanism provide a solution to this dilemma in classical liberalism? Hint: on what grounds does Smith defend individual liberty?
Smith defends individual liberty through a free-market economy where it is assumed that people work towards their gain which eventual benefits society.
What historical event does Locke's theory attempt to justify? What is Locke's theory of a natural right to revolution? Why is it, if at all, important?
The Glorious Revolution was justified by locke's theory in that governments were only legitimate with consent of the people. Therefore revolution against an undesirable state was a natural right. Locke declared that under natural law, all people have the right to life, liberty, and estate; under the social contract, the people could instigate a revolution against the government when it acted against the interests of citizens.
