John Locke (1632-1704)

Key text: Two treatises of Government (1690)

Father of liberal philosophy

Originator of classical liberalism

Human Nature

-’State of nature’ which served mankind’s interests

-Upbeat view on human nature

-guided by rationalism and the pursuit of self interest

State

-Government by consent

-State of law would only be legitimate if it respected natural rights and natural laws ensuring citizens were not worse off than in a state of nature

-Citizens would always have voluntarily consented in exchange for the state improving their situation (social contract theory)

-Limited character of government

-Dispersal of powers

Society

-predates the state

-a previous society with ’Natural laws’, ‘Natural liberties’ and ‘natural rights’

The Economy

-respect to the right of private property

-arbitrate effectively between individuals competing for trade and resources