John Locke

Human Nature

• Locke believed people were bound by a moral code to do what is right.

• Viewed state of nature as state of complete equality ruled by law of nature created by God.

• No one has the right to harm or oppress another. Power must be divided equally between humans.

Government and State

• Government only exists if given consent by the people, therefore government should be limited.

• As part of social contract, people are entitled to resist and replace government.

• If people are limited by natural rights, so is the state.

• Defended majority rule and separation of legislative and executive powers.

Society and Identity

• Being part of society means trusting the state with one’s inalienable rights.

• Encouraged tolerance in society. Believed that no earthly judge could discriminate on religious grounds.

• Women were not considered as property and must be afforded same rights as men.

• Everyone was entitled to an education. Young minds were a tabula rasa that could be developed and benefit society as a whole.

Economy and Globalisation

• Although people belong to God, they own the fruits of their labour.

• Individual property and one’s own were natural rights.