John Locke: Political Philosophy and Natural Rights

Political Thought

John Locke's political thought exerted considerable influence on liberal political philosophy. He influenced Montesquieu, the American Revolution, and the broader progressive liberal trend throughout the eighteenth century that opposed political absolutism. In his First Treatise of Civil Government, Locke notes that the theory of the divine origin of power implies that human beings are not free and equal by nature—a statement he categorically rejects. In the Second Treatise, Locke outlined his core liberal political theories.

Nature and Convention

Locke's political philosophy—like that of Hobbes before him and Rousseau after him—refers to the basic distinction introduced by the Sophists between nature and convention. It is necessary to establish the natural state of man to provide a rational basis for political society.

The Natural State of Man

Humans in their natural state are free and equal. While Rousseau argued that man is good by nature and Hobbes maintained a pessimistic view that "man is a wolf to man," Locke does not share these extreme positions:

• Absence of Organization: In the natural state, where there is no political organization, individuals may violate the rights and freedoms of others.
• Natural Law: Man possesses a moral law discovered by reason, which imposes limits on his conscience and conduct.

Natural Rights and Private Property

In addition to this moral law, human beings naturally possess certain rights. Locke specifically insists on the right to private property, which is based on labor and reflects the economic and social circumstances of his time.

The Social Contract

There are inherent shortcomings in the state of nature, such as human partiality and the inclination to violate the rights of others. To remedy this, men create a status (the body politic) by common consent through a social contract:

• Nature of the Contract: The agreement is not between a ruler and the ruled, but among free and equal individuals.
• Purpose: The primary goal is to preserve life, liberty, and property.
• Breach of Contract: When a ruler becomes a tyrant and enters a state of war with the people, the contract is broken.

Foundations of Political Society

There are two fundamental ideas in Locke's organization of political societies:

1. Utility: Locke admits that political society is not natural, but rather a useful tool to safeguard the peaceful enjoyment of natural rights.
2. Consent: Locke seeks a rational basis for society, which is found only in the consensus of all individuals.

Through this covenant, individuals relinquish some of their freedom to enjoy it more safely, agreeing to submit to the will of the majority.