John Locke 03 19 2013 Natural Rights Constitutional Gov Emphasis on Liberalism Gov based on consent of people constitution Social Contract Theory Advocates absolutism justifies limited gov Human Nature o People are decent orderly capable of ruling themselves experienced the good bad of people while in political exile o Men are equal free o Humans wants to acquire pleasure avoid pain state should do that for the people o People are rational see that they should cooperate peacefully State of Nature o Pre state stage w no political authority but was not lawless People under control of natural law reason consciousness o Not a state of war but of goodwill peace mutual assistance o Not equality in intellect physical strength possessions o People born equal w life liberty property o Like civil society w o a gov o Every man can interpret execute law of nature created confusion no stability so gov was established by all Nature of Contract o Purpose was to protect natural rights life liberty property o 2 contracts first constituted the state by the people second o People surrendered rights to the superior community as a established gov whole o Gov should protect people s rights o State has no obligation to upload man s natural rights o Unanimously made w people s consent gov based on consent of the masses o Irrevocable State Gov gov o State gov are separate state is superior o Rulers ruled constitute the state rulers alone constitute the o If gov fails to protect natural rights people can revolt o Community is sovereign gov works for them o Gov was limited must govern according to laws could not tax w o consent conformed w laws of nature o People are the source of power o Majority had right to act for entire community Limited Constitutional Gov o People should trust gov to work for them o Best form of gov is limited democracy in the hands of delegates controlled by election o Consent is basis for gov Theory of Natural Rights Birth rights that are the gift of nature Do not require justification cannot be taken away Life liberty property pursuit of happiness In the state of nature people had natural rights but they were in danger Natural rights are pre political Right to property most important 03 19 2013 03 19 2013
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