NATURAL RIGHTS

How did Locke and Jeffeson see rights?

They saw rights as ‘natrual’ in that they are invested in human beings by nature of God.

How did Jefferson describe natural rights?

Rights are ‘inalienable’ because human beings are entitled to them in virtue of being human; they cannot, in that sense, be taken away.

What do natural rights establish?

Natural rights are thought to establish the essential conditions for leading a truly human existence.

What three rights did Locke claim there are?

‘Life, liberty and property’ - John Locke, Two Treatises of Government, 1689.

What three rights are outlined in the US Declaration of Independence?

‘Life, liberty and the pursuit of happines’ - Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence, 1776.

What did John Locke believe about government and natural rights?

He believed that government is established in order to protect natural rights; when these are protected by the state, citizens should respect the government and obey the law.

When can citizens enact rebellion against government?

Citizens have the right of rebellion if government violates the rights of its citizens

What did Locke believe about the contract between state and citizen?

The contract is a specific and limited one: its purpose is to protect a set of defined natural rights - as a result Locke believed in limited government; the legitimate role of government is to the protection of ‘life, liberty and property’.

What are the three ‘minimal’ functions of government which the realm of government should not extend beyond?

1. maintaining public order and protecting property.

2. provididng defence against external attack.

3. ensuring that contracts are enforced.

Other issues and responsibilities are properly the concern of pribate individuals.

What did Jefferson say about government?

‘That government is best which governs least’.