HSY1511 Assignment 2
Semester 1
2023
PLEASE PARAPHRASE YOUR OWN WORK TO AVOID
PLAGIARISM “OWN YOUR WOR”
QUESTION 1
John Locke: Second Treaties on Civil Government
The Second Treatise of Government places sovereignty into the hands of the
people. Locke's fundamental argument is that people are equal and invested
with natural rights in a state of nature in which they live free from outside rule.
In the state of nature, natural law governs behavior, and each person has
license to execute that law against someone who wrongs them by infringing
on their rights. People take what they need from the earth, but hoard just
enough to cover their needs. Eventually, people begin to trade their excess
goods with each other, until they develop a common currency for barter, or
money. Money eliminates limits on the amount of property they can obtain
(unlike food, money does not spoil), and they begin to gather estates around
themselves and their families. People then exchange some of their natural
rights to enter into society with other people, and be protected by common
laws and a common executive power to enforce the laws. People need
executive power to protect their property and defend their liberty. The civil
state is beholden to the people, and has power over the people only insofar as
it exists to protect and preserve their welfare. Locke describes a state with a
separate judicial, legislative, and executive branch--the legislative branch
being the most important of the three, since it determines the laws that govern
LORA TUTORING
Semester 1
2023
PLEASE PARAPHRASE YOUR OWN WORK TO AVOID
PLAGIARISM “OWN YOUR WOR”
QUESTION 1
John Locke: Second Treaties on Civil Government
The Second Treatise of Government places sovereignty into the hands of the
people. Locke's fundamental argument is that people are equal and invested
with natural rights in a state of nature in which they live free from outside rule.
In the state of nature, natural law governs behavior, and each person has
license to execute that law against someone who wrongs them by infringing
on their rights. People take what they need from the earth, but hoard just
enough to cover their needs. Eventually, people begin to trade their excess
goods with each other, until they develop a common currency for barter, or
money. Money eliminates limits on the amount of property they can obtain
(unlike food, money does not spoil), and they begin to gather estates around
themselves and their families. People then exchange some of their natural
rights to enter into society with other people, and be protected by common
laws and a common executive power to enforce the laws. People need
executive power to protect their property and defend their liberty. The civil
state is beholden to the people, and has power over the people only insofar as
it exists to protect and preserve their welfare. Locke describes a state with a
separate judicial, legislative, and executive branch--the legislative branch
being the most important of the three, since it determines the laws that govern
LORA TUTORING
