Locke & Rousseau

State of Nature (Locke)

Condition where people live freely, equal, and independent, guided by reason

Natural Rights (Locke)

Life, Liberty, and Property

Law of Nature (reason) (Locke)

Moral principle that teaches no one should harm another in their life, health, liberty, or possessions

State of War (Locke)

Distinct from state of nature, when someone uses force against another without right

In the State of War for Locke, people can…

Defend themselves and punish aggressors

How to escape state of war (locke)

By establishing a civil govt. with fair laws and impartial judges

Property (Locke)

A natural right that individuals have, which is acquired through one's labor and effort.

Property Provisions (Locke)

1) Enough in as Good—take what they need while leaving sufficient resources for others

2) Spoilage—prevents hoarding or wasting perishable goods

Problems in the State of Nature (Locke)

1. No established law

2. No impartial judges

3. No power to enforce justice

Types of Power (Locke)

1. Parental Power: Temporary, aimed at educating children

2. Political Power: Created by consent, limited to securing people’s rights

3. Despotic Power: Absolute and unjust, no one has right to rule others without consent

Types of Consent (Locke)

1. Express Consent: Someone actively agrees to a govt (sign contract, take oath)

2. Tacit Consent: Someone enjoys benefit of govt without explicitly agreeing (living in country, using resources)

The Legislative Branch Cant… (Locke)

1. Arbitrarily take power

2. Rule by arbitrary decree

3. Transfer power to others

Legislative Branch (Locke)

Makes laws and is the supreme power in society, is separate from the executive branch.

Executive Branch (Locke)

Enforces laws and is distinct from legislative

Federative Branch (Locke)

Deals with foreign affairs and manages war, peace, and treaties

Prerogative (Locke)

Discretionary power; acting for public good even if no law covers the situation, only legitimate if it is for the good of the people

State of Nature (Roussaeu)

The condition in which humans lived before the creation of society, characterized by natural freedom and equality.

General Will (Roussaeu)

The collective will of the people aimed at promoting the common good, not individual desires.

Natural Liberty (Roussaeu)

The freedom that individuals have in the state of nature, unconstrained by laws or society.

Civil Liberty (Roussaeu)

The freedom individuals have within a society, granted by the social contract and protected by laws.

Force vs. Right (Roussaeu)

The distinction Rousseau makes between might (force) and legitimate authority (right), with the latter being based on consent, not violence.

The Right of the Strongest (Roussaeu)

The idea that physical force alone does not establish legitimate political authority, even if it allows someone to rule.

Legitimate Authority (Roussaeu)

Political power that is based on the consent of the governed, rather than on force or coercion.

Human Nature (Roussaeu)

1. Freedom—Positive and Negative

2. Self Improvement—Amor de Soir and Amore Propre

Positive Freedom (Roussaeu)

Govd by reason; obey laws you give to yourself

Negative Freedom (Roussaeu)

Freedom from control from external sources outside your will; freedom from addiction or physical constraints

Armoire-de-soire (Roussaeu)

Refers to the kind of love of self that drives us to have shoes that function and look good

Armoire-prope (Roussaeu)

Fundamental interest or desire to have social standing by other members of that society

Types of Inequality (Roussaeu)

1. Natural (Physical) 

2. Moral (Political) 

   1. Authorized by the common consent of ppl