Philosophical Framework of

American GovernmentPolitical philosopher’s that impacted the Framer’s of the

Constitution.

Brainstorming

• What might be some advantages & disadvantages to living in a state of nature?

• What rights would you expect to have in a state of nature?

• Would anyone have the right to govern you? Would you have the right to govern anyone else?

Who is John Locke?

• 1632-1704 in England• Father served in English Civil

War • Educated: Masters degree• Political Beliefs: Liberal

– Whigs• Experiences:

– Enlightenment– Glorious Revolution

• Accomplishments:– Second Treatise on

Government.– An Essay Concerning Human

Understanding– Fundamental Constitution of

the Carolina’s

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Locke’s Influence• Political philosophy later influenced:

– Jean-Jacques Rousseau– Immanuel Kant– Framer’s of Constitution

• Revolutionary ideas impacted:– American Revolution– French Revolution

Locke’s Political Thinking

• Government must be accountable to the people.

• Purpose of government is to preserve natural rights.

• A government must consist of institutions and the legally prescribed process for making and enforcing collective agreements.

• An absolute monarchy is inconsistent with the purpose of government.

• When government misuses power & authority, the people have the right to revolt.

Second Treatise On Government

• Written in 1689.• Why was it written?

– To defend the Glorious Revolution of 1688.• Supported a limited monarchy.• Supported English Bill of Rights.

– To counter thinking of Thomas Hobbes.• Human nature is good and reasonable,

but may be driven by self-interest.

A key to John Locke

• Inalienable Rights: rights that cannot be taken away from anyone (free speech)

• Equality: The belief that all persons, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, age, etc. have the same rights as everyone else.

• Questions to consider:– What is happening in this

painting?– How does this painting

relate to the concept of inalienable rights? Equality?

“The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which treats everyone equally…[B]eing equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, or possessions.”

-John Locke

A Key to John Locke• Limited Government: A

government that does not have absolute authority.

• Consent of the Governed: The political theory that government’s gain their authority from the people. A government is not legitimate if the people do not give their consent.

“Whensoever…the [government] shall…put into the hands of any other an absolute power over the lives, liberty, and estates of the people, by this breach of trust they forfeit the power [of] the people…who have a right to resume their original liberty, and by the establishment of the new [government] provide for their own safety and security.”

-John Locke

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Question to Consider:

What is happening in this picture and how does it relate to the topic of limited government?

Key to John Locke

• State of Nature: a state of perfect freedom where people do as they see fit within the bounds of the law of nature. (Problem is self-interest causes conflict!)

• Law of Nature: a state of equality, where people have the same advantages, use of same authority; in which the rights of men are not invaded by others. (utopia)

• “And that all men may be restrained from invading others rights, and from doing hurt to one another, and the law of nature be observed, which willeth the peace & preservation of all mankind, the execution of the law of nature is in that state put in every man’s hands…

-John Locke

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A Key to John Locke

• Social Contract: An agreement among men to create and live under government & give that government the power to make & enforce laws.– Government only exists when

people choose to resign their state of nature and create it.

– Government gets it’s power & authority from the people.

• “…he authorizes the society, or which is all one, the legislative thereof, to make laws for him, as the public good of the society shall require…and puts men out of a state of nature into that of a common-wealth, by setting up a judge on earth, with authority to determine all the controversies, and redress the injuries that may happen…”

John Locke

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Questions to consider:• How does this photo communicate Locke’s belief about human nature? •In regards to the government of Iraq, if there is a social contract between the citizens and the government, why is

there still conflict?

Reflection on Locke’s Philosophy

• What questions do you have?