John Locke’s theory about political power Free Essays

John Locke’s theory about political power is based on the idea of â€Å"perfect freedom†, a state everyone is â€Å"naturally in† while conducting personal proceedings and using possessions in normal way without pressing over or depending on other men. A law of nature governs the state of nature teaching that all people are â€Å"equal and independent† but they cannot hurt or destroy another person’s â€Å"life, liberty, health or possessions†. God gives to his people different things to use for the best advantage of their lives but no one is born to has a domination over the other. We will write a custom essay sample on John Locke’s theory about political power or any similar topic only for you Order Now There is a natural way in which a man can express the right to the things that are not beneficial to any other man yet. Then determination of property is given. Locke Justifies property as â€Å"the labor of his body and the work of his hands†. For the property to occur a person takes something from nature, mixes it with things that used to belong to him and adds his labor. This individual labor is basically a main point from which exclusive right for the property starts and becomes unquestionable for the laborer as long as good enough is left for others. Every man is â€Å"lord† of his own. So, the only reason why man can give up his personal freedom and be bonded by political power of another man is his own consent and wish to unite with others into one mutually beneficial community. This community or government is considered to be safer, more comfortable and peaceful than life in his personal estate that could be endangered to â€Å"invasions of others†. The state of personal freedom is very unsafe and less enjoyable than secure life in society which is concerned about preservation of property. Tyranny is an â€Å"exercise of power beyond right†. It happens when anyone uses his r her power not for the best of others, but for the satisfaction of personal passions such as greediness, ambitions, wish to overpower others against the law of nature. So, whenever such situation has occurred it has to be opposed because if the law is transgressed it causes harm to other people. Being rich or having an exceeding power is never a reason or an excuse â€Å"for rapine and oppression†. It doesn’t matter if this man has a high or low rank, but for the king exceeding the authority is more shameful than for the constable because more trust is given to him. A king is also ell better educated and more acknowledged about right and wrong things to do which additionally obligates him. People willfully â€Å"choose and authorize a legislative† to create laws that will guarantee preservation of properties for each member in the community. People will never choose a legislative that makes laws being able to demolish things that everyone is trying to protect. When a legislative being ambitious or corrupted makes an attempt to go against â€Å"fundamental rule of the society† trying to enslave people, breaking the trust at that moment his authority is ended. A new government which is ble to work for the protection of society should be chosen in case the old one bitrates the trust of people. Jefferson’s text of the Declaration of Independence is mainly based on the ideas developed by Locke. Jefferson’s â€Å"truth to be self evident† is basically the determination ot state ot nature in the work ot Locke. â€Å"All men are created equal† having certain rights, such as â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness†. Governments â€Å"are instituted among men† to protect these fundamental rights. In case the governor rules destructively over the people under his power he deserved nd should be thrown off his position and â€Å"new guards for future security† should be found. Jefferson writes the main part of Declaration describing that ruling of a present king of Great Britain is a history of â€Å"repeated injuries and usurpations†. â€Å"A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people†, he says. At this point a direct referral to the Locke’s idea of perfect freedom is made. Using Locke’s fundamental ideas in Declaration of Independence Jefferson Justifies separation of United States from England. How to cite John Locke’s theory about political power, Papers