John Locke's Philosophy on Government Power

John Locke vs. Thomas Hobbes on Government Power

• Locke's Position on Government Power
    - Locke does not agree with Hobbes regarding the nature of governmental authority.
    - He believes that government should not possess absolute power.
  

• Purpose of Government according to Locke
    - The primary function of government is to protect individuals' natural rights:
      - Life: The right to live freely without threat from others.
      - Liberty: The freedom to act as one chooses, so long as it does not infringe upon others' rights.
      - Property: The right to own and control personal possessions and resources.
    - The government is not intended to control people completely but to safeguard these rights.
  

• Consent of the Governed
    - According to Locke, government derives its authority from the consent of the people.
    - This implies that citizens agree to establish a government for the purpose of protecting their rights.
  

• Authority and Power
    - Locke posits that people retain the real authority and can reclaim their power if the government fails to serve its purpose.
    - The scope of government power includes:
      - Making laws.
      - Enforcing laws.
      - Settling disputes.
    - Such powers are justified to prevent the threat of rights being violated and to manage potential conflicts.
  

• Limitations of Government Power
    - Locke strongly advocates that governmental power should always be limited.
    - The focus of government power should center around the common good.
    - If a government becomes unjust or abuses its authority, the citizens are entitled to overthrow it and establish a new government that better protects their rights.