Of the Ends of Political Society and Government: Thoughts by John Locke

School children are typically taught about the importance of John Locke's theories on the Founders of the United States. Many students are taught about Natural Law and Natural Rights, and may, as a consequence, be able to identify Locke with "life, liberty, and property" and explain the phrases connection to the Declaration of Independence; however, it is interesting to see Locke's ideas in a broader, more connected and explanatory context. Hence, this post.

August Glen-James, editor

If Man in the State of Nature be so free, as has been said; if he be absolute Lord of his own Person and Possessions, equal to the greatest, and subject to no Body, why will he part with his Freedom? Why will he give up this Empire, and subject himself to the Dominion and Control of any other Power? To which ’tis obvious to Answer, that though in the state of Nature he hath such a right, yet the Enjoyment of it is very uncertain, and constantly exposed to the Invasion of others. For all being Kings as much as he, every Man his Equal, and the greater part no strict Observers of Equity and Justice, the enjoyment of the property have has in this state is very unsafe, very unsecure. This makes him willing to quit this Condition, which however free, is full of fears and continual dangers: And ’tis not without reason, that he seeks out, and is willing to joyn in Society with others who are already united, or have a mind to unite for the mutual Preservation of their Lives, Liberties and Estates, which I call by the general Name, Property. The great and chief end therefore, of Mens uniting into Commonwealths, and putting themselves under Government, is the Preservation of their Property. To which in the state of Nature there are many things wanting.

[In summary: There’s no rule of law, by common consent, to be the standard of right and wrong; there are no indifferent judges to determine differences according to the established laws; and, in a state of nature, there’s no power to give the rule of law due execution. --editor]

Thus Mankind, notwithstanding all the Privileges of the state of Nature, being but in an ill condition, while they remain in it, are quickly driven into Society . . . and therein seek the preservation of their Property. ’Tis this makes them so willingly give up every one his single power of punishing to be exercised by such alone as shall be appointed to it amongst them; and by such Rules as the Community, or those authorized by them to that purpose, shall agree on. And in this we have the original right and rise of south the Legislative and Executive Power, as well as of the Governments and Societies themselves. . . . And were it not for the corruption, and vitiousness of degenerate Men, there would be no need [for men to leave the human community of their state of nature] and by positive agreements combine into smaller and divided associations.

But though Men when they enter into Society, give up the Equality, Liberty, and Executive Power they had in the State of Nature, into the hands of the Society, to be so far disposed of by the Legislative, as the good of the Society shall require; yet it being only with an intention in every one the better to preserve himself his Liberty and Property . . . the power of the Society, or Legislative constituted by them, can never be suppos’d  to extend farther than the common good; but is obliged to secure every ones Property by providing against . . . [what] made the the State of Nature so unsafe and uneasie. And so whoever has the Legislative or Supream Power of any Common-wealth, is bound to govern by establish’d standing Laws, promulgated and known to the People, and not by Extemporary Decrees; by indifferent and upright Judges, who are to decide Controversies by those Laws; And to imploy the force of the Community at home, only in the Execution of such Laws, or abroad to prevent or redress Foreign Injuries, and secure the Community from Inroads and Invasions. And all this to be directed to no other end, but the Peace, Safety, and publick good of the People.

John Locke. Two Treatises of Government. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. PP. 350-353.