Locke's Political Philosophy: State of Nature, Natural Law, and Civil Society

Locke's Political Philosophy

State of Nature

The state of nature is the condition in which humanity existed before forming societies and establishing collective ties.

War and Peace

In the state of nature, there are no judges or positive laws to regulate behavior. Instead, natural law governs human conduct. Peace exists when force is not used without right, while war is a state of enmity and destruction. War can occur in both the state of nature and civil society, but it is not a necessity.

Natural Law

Natural law consists of certain rules of nature that govern human behavior and can be discovered through reason. Individuals are free to make rational decisions, and reason provides moral autonomy, making them independent of ecclesiastical authority.

Locke believed in a natural moral law that can be discovered through reason. This law obligates all individuals and teaches that all are equal and independent, and that no one should harm another in life, health, liberty, or property.

Natural law prevents freedom from degenerating into anarchy by introducing a system of rights and duties.

Authority

Locke rejected absolutism and argued that authority should be limited by the consent of the people and by law. This prevents arbitrariness and reduces the risk of anarchy.

Civil Society

When individuals in a state of nature associate to form a single political body under one government, they create civil society.

Liability

Individuals surrender certain rights to the government in exchange for protection and the enforcement of natural law. The government becomes the trustee of society, and the people are its subjects.

Violating this agreement can terminate the government's authority.

Agreement

Civil society is based on an express or tacit agreement between those who join it. Individuals give up some of their freedom in exchange for the benefits of living in a community.

They do not surrender their power to an absolute ruler, as Hobbes suggested, but rather combine to form a political body in which the majority acts and decides on behalf of all.

People

A political or civil society is formed when a group of individuals unite and transfer their power to execute natural law to the community.

Public Good

The government's legislative body makes laws that promote the public good of society and can call upon the assistance of its members.

This is the purpose of civil society: to establish a judge with authority to resolve disputes and repair any harm suffered by its members.

Strength of the State

Locke advocated for the separation of powers, with three branches exercising sovereign power: legislative, executive, and federal.

The legislative power designates how force should be used within the political community. The executive power ensures the continuous application of the law.

Well-being

The government's legislative power makes laws that promote the public good of society and can call upon the assistance of its members.

This is the purpose of civil society: to establish a judge with authority to resolve disputes and repair any harm suffered by its members.