John Locke and the Social Contract

John Locke's Ideas on the Social Contract

  • Overview of Locke's Social Contract
  • Locke presents his views in "Two Treatises of Government."
  • Unlike Hobbes, Locke has a more optimistic view of the state of nature.

State of Nature

  • Definition: A condition where humans exist without government or authority.
  • Freedom: Complete liberty to act and live as one pleases (not absolute permissiveness).
  • Morality: Despite the absence of rulers, morality exists.
  • Humans are bound by natural laws.

Natural Rights

  • Concept of Natural Rights:

  • Locke identifies three fundamental natural rights:

    • Life: The right to live safely.
    • Liberty: The freedom to act according to one's will.
    • Property: The right to own and control possessions.

  • Implications:

  • Actions such as killing, enslaving, or stealing violate these rights.

  • Everyone is born equally entitled to uphold these rights.

Role of Government

  • Purpose of Government:

  • To protect natural rights and provide impartial judgment in disputes.

  • Government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.

  • Social Contract:

  • Citizens agree to grant limited powers to a government to safeguard their rights.

  • Citizens may give up some freedoms to ensure protection of their essential rights.

Consent and Authority

  • Consent of the Governed:
  • Power granted to the government is conditional on performance.
  • The government does not have absolute power; its role is to serve the people.

Right to Overthrow

  • Justification for Overthrowing Government:
  • If the government fails to protect natural rights, citizens have the right to replace it.
  • This belief laid the foundation for liberalism, promoting individual freedoms under governance.

Liberal Democracy and Governance

  • Political Philosophy:
  • Locke's ideas are central to liberal democracies, where leaders can be held accountable by the people.
  • Citizen's Role:
  • Citizens can influence government and have the power to vote out ineffective leaders.

Critical Perspective on Locke's Theory

  • Meta-Ethical Concerns:

  • The source of Locke's natural laws and natural rights is debated.

  • Questions arise whether these rights come from rational insight or divine origin.

  • Challenging Assumptions:

  • Natural rights (e.g., life, liberty, property) may not be universally self-evident.

Concerns with Government Overthrow:

  • Risk of Instability:

  • The ability to overthrow the government could lead to erratic leadership changes and instability.

  • Populations may act based on emotions like greed or dissatisfaction, potentially causing chaos.

  • Counter Argument:

  • Rational self-interest would prevent populations from acting irresponsibly against their own stability.

  • Need for Safeguards:

  • The balance of the right to expel rulers should be measured against the potential for creating a volatile political environment.