Locke’s Two Treatises of Government (1698 following Glorious Rev.)
Liberalism: Body of ideas and mode of governance that emerges in response to changing
material conditions:
- Development of capitalist political economy
- New patterns of migration, urbanization, and the relocation of labor outside the home
- Reformation
- Secular thought
- Development of communication and education
- Development of technology and exploration and conquest
- INDIVIDUALISM
- ABSTRACT PERSONHOOD
- RIGHTS/LIBERTIES
- FORMAL EQUALITY ( ALL EQUAL UNDER THE LAW )
- PROGRESS
- CONSTITUTIONAL STATE AND SECURITY
- COMPETITION
First Treatise
-According to Locke, humans are by nature rational, equal and free
State of Nature
- There is Law in nature; laws dictated by reason
- Power to punish
- Responsibility to preserve one's self and humankind
Property Right:
- Property is established by reason and revelation
Social Contract
- Formed by mutual consent and agreement of free and equal individuals
- Protection of private property
- Contract among people
- Impartial arbiter/judge; legitimates the power of punishment
- Power of the individual formed into a commonwealth
Critiques of Locke
- Pateman (feminist theory) says contract is actually a sex contract perpetuating male
dominance bc males are the party in the garment not “we the people”
Liberalism: Body of ideas and mode of governance that emerges in response to changing
material conditions:
- Development of capitalist political economy
- New patterns of migration, urbanization, and the relocation of labor outside the home
- Reformation
- Secular thought
- Development of communication and education
- Development of technology and exploration and conquest
- INDIVIDUALISM
- ABSTRACT PERSONHOOD
- RIGHTS/LIBERTIES
- FORMAL EQUALITY ( ALL EQUAL UNDER THE LAW )
- PROGRESS
- CONSTITUTIONAL STATE AND SECURITY
- COMPETITION
First Treatise
-According to Locke, humans are by nature rational, equal and free
State of Nature
- There is Law in nature; laws dictated by reason
- Power to punish
- Responsibility to preserve one's self and humankind
Property Right:
- Property is established by reason and revelation
Social Contract
- Formed by mutual consent and agreement of free and equal individuals
- Protection of private property
- Contract among people
- Impartial arbiter/judge; legitimates the power of punishment
- Power of the individual formed into a commonwealth
Critiques of Locke
- Pateman (feminist theory) says contract is actually a sex contract perpetuating male
dominance bc males are the party in the garment not “we the people”
