John Locke's Second Treatise and The Declaration of Independence

Vocabulary flashcards covering core political theories from John Locke's Second Treatise on Government and key concepts from the Declaration of Independence.

State of Nature

A state of perfect freedom where individuals order actions and dispose of possessions and persons as they think fit within the law of nature, characterized by reciprocal equality without subordination.

Law of Nature

Reason, which teaches all mankind that being equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.

Executive Power of the Law of Nature

The natural right possessed by every individual in the state of nature to punish transgressors of natural law to hinder its violation and preserve mankind.

Right of Reparation

The specific right belonging solely to an injured party to seek satisfaction from an offender for the damage suffered.

Civil Government

The proper remedy for the inconveniences of the state of nature, designed to resolve the disorder caused by men being judges in their own cases.

Garcilasso de la Vega

Author of a history of Peru cited by Locke to demonstrate that promises between individuals in a desert island remain binding while they are in a state of nature.

Judicious Hooker

Author of Ecclesiastical Polity cited by Locke to establish that human equality forms the foundation of mutual love, justice, charity, and political societies.

Legislative Power

The supreme, sacred, and unalterable authority of a commonwealth established by the consent of the society to enact standing laws for the public good.

Fundamental Natural Law

The primary law governing even the legislative power itself, which is the preservation of society and of every person in it as far as possible.

Bounds of Legislative Power

Limits set by natural law requiring rule by promulgated standing laws, governing for the public good, protecting private property from non-consensual taking, and prohibiting the transfer of lawmaking power.

Unalienable Rights

Self-evident rights endowed upon all men by their Creator, which include Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness according to the Declaration of Independence.

Consent of the Governed

The essential authorization from the people from which governments derive their just powers and lawful authority to make laws.

Absolute Tyranny

The condition of oppressive rule identified in the Declaration of Independence as the direct object of the repeated injuries and usurpations committed by the King of Great Britain.