Key Liberal Thinkers: John Locke

When was John Locke born?

1632

When did John Locke die?

1704

When was Locke writing?

When most of Europe was ruled by absolutist monarchies

→ Rejected government by contract

What happened during the Glorious Revolution?

James II was removed and replaced with William and Mary

What was Locke’s key work?

Two Treatises of Government

What was the content of Two Treatises?

• Attacked idea that the monarcy has a natural right to rule over others (divine right of kings)

• Established liberal justification for a minimal state

When was Two Treatises published?

1690

When did the Glorious Revolution take place?

1688

How did the Glorious Revolution influence Mill?

• Belief in removal of regimes that threaten natural rights

• Religious toleration

What is evidence of the time period Locke was writing in?

• Excluded Roman Catholics from his toleration principle

• Closely associated with royal absolutism and anti-liberal forces

What did Locke argue about human nature?

• Naturally free, equal and independent

• Not naturally under authority

• Rational and capable of cooperation

What did Locke argue about the state of nature?

• There was life before the state

• State of peace

• Humans are perfectly free and equal due to natural rights

• There would be clashes of interest between individuals, limiting individual freedom

What did Locke argue about the role of the state?

• Rational to enter a social contract to from the sstate

• State would act as a neutral umpire to resolve clashes

• Exists to protect and enhance natural rights

• Consent should be withdrawn if the contract is broken

What did Locke argue about the size of the state?

• Contracted by the people

• Limited in scope

• Limited by constitutional and clear separation of powers

• Legislature should represent the supreme power but is only a fiduciary power

• State should directly represent the will of property owning individuals

What is meant by a fiduciary power?

State holds its power in trust and must act in the interests of and for the benefit of the people

→ Otherwise, social contract is invalid

What did Locke argue about society?

• Society predates the state

• State of nature

What did Locke argue about the economy?

• State policy should respect the natural right to private property

• State should be an arbiter between competing individuals