Connections and Agreements in Political Philosophy

Front

How are the words Life, Liberty, and Property connected to one another?

Back

They are principles of the Enlightenment era believed to be "inherent rights" held by the people.

Thomas Jefferson had to change the wording in the Declaration of Independence from "property" to "happiness"

Front

How are the concepts of 'State of Nature' and 'War' connected?

Back

They both involve the idea of conflict and survival.

Hobbes: The state of nature is inherently a state of war due to the absence of authority and mutual trust.

• Locke: The state of nature can lead to war when natural laws are violated, highlighting the need for governance to prevent such conflicts.

• Rousseau: War is not a natural condition but a social construct that emerges from inequality and institutionalized power.

Front

How are the words Government and Social Contract connected? How is this connected to the US Government?

Back

The government is formed based on the principles of a theoretical social contract.

Rulers do not reign from above or outside of the law, but are bound under the law. Power to create government rests with the people, who give up some power to a ruling central body.

• If a government fails to fulfill its purpose—by violating natural rights, becoming tyrannical, or ignoring the rule of law—Locke argued that the people have the right to dissolve the government.

• This right is not to be exercised lightly or for minor grievances but is justified when there is a "long train of abuses" that demonstrate the government's intent to subvert the people's rights and liberties.

• In such cases, the people can overthrow the existing government and establish a new one that better secures their rights.

Thomas Jefferson used Locke's Social Contract theory to justify the American Revolution in the DOI.

Front

Would Hobbes and Locke agree: There are no laws in a state of nature, and people are in a constant state of struggle (always at war)?

Back

Agree, Hobbes argued human nature would naturally result in war and Locke argued war would be likely

Front

Would Hobbes and Locke agree: Government is needed to create laws, protect people and provide services?

Back

Agree, Hobbes argued in favor of the divine right of kings believing a ruler above the law is necessary to maintain law and order whereas Locke argued the right to rule should come from the people through a Social Contract granting government and rulers limited power to rule.

Front

Would Hobbes and Locke agree: The ruler should have complete power and cannot be overthrown if the people are unhappy?

Back

Disagree, Locke argued a right to revolution existed if a "long train of abuses" are present and legitimate means to reform government are pursued first to no avail.

Front

How did Locke see things differently on the statement where they disagree?

Back

Locke emphasized the social contract, natural rights, limited powers, and a right to revolution.

Front

How are Enlightenment ideas connected to the US Government?

Back

The social contract (Locke, Rousseau) emphasized government by consent to protect citizens' natural rights (life, liberty, property).

When Britain violated these rights (in a train of abuses documented in the DOI), colonists invoked Locke's idea of a right to revolution, leading to independence and the creation of a government designed to safeguard individual freedoms and democratic governance.

These ideas are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Front

Where does the Declaration of Independence (DOI) reflect Enlightenment ideas?

Back

The social contract is echoed in "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

The idea of natural rights (Locke) appears in "all men are created equal" and "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

Locke’s right to revolution is reflected in, "whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it."