John Locke

• English philosopher who’s beliefs influenced the Constitution.

• His book, on which he discussed issues of government and mankind, is called “Two Treaties of Government”.

State of Nature:

• Everyone is born equal to each other and has the right to liberty and property, for they worked for their property.

State of Nature:

• To protect these rights men give power to a certain few to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected.

State of Nature:

• If the government, or any person, goes against these rights, the people have the right to punish them. (get rid of the government and arrest the bad people).

State of Nature:

• The people give up their rights to perfect freedom, judgment, and punishment, and invest these powers in a legislative and executive power. The government enforces laws that preserve the rights of the people.

State of War:

• This exists when one man uses force against another. It can only be resolved with one being the victor.

State of War:

• It is not just (right) for any man to exercise absolute power over another.

State of War: • Absolute monarchs (or any other dictatorship

or controlling government) who do so are guilty of creating a state of war between themselves and their subjects. (Like the American Revolution).