John Locke: Natural Rights & Equality, Shaping Government Systems - Essay Sample

Introduction

John Locke’s political philosophy was instrumental in shaping the contemporary government systems and constitutions. In his time, people believed that they were all naturally subjects to a monarch chosen by God (Tuckness). Consequently, such leaders could decide to violate the rights of the people without any implications. In the Two Treatises of Government, Locke argued against this notion stating that all people are naturally free and equal (Tuckness). Therefore, they do not need to pass some of their rights to leaders to their lives, liberty, and property (Tuckness). Since governments exist to protect the rights and interests of the people, if they fail, the citizens can resist them and replace them with new ones (Tuckness). This is the foundation of democracy. Locke also defended the separation of executive and legislative powers, and majority rule, which is evident in the modern Constitution (Tuckness). Locke protected the freedom of worship in several of his letters. He argued that leaders could not enforce a religion that they believe to be true because it is impossible to force people to choose a new faith (Tuckness). All these arguments are incorporated into the American Constitution. Locke’s philosophy led to liberalism and democracy in American.

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The Government and Locke’s Political Philosophy

John Locke's political philosophy focused on self-ownership, property, and government roles in human life. Locke’s work stood against authoritarianism. Locke is famous for the Two Treatises of Government, in which he explains the nature of a legitimate political leadership system based on the social contract and natural rights. Locke is also known for several essays, such as the Letter Concerning Toleration, in which he advocates for the right to choose a religion without government interference.Through his works, Locke wanted individuals to reason instead of blindly accepting the opinions of those in authority (Uzgalis). Also, he wanted people to distinguish between the legitimate and illegitimate functions of institutions such as the Government and the church (Uzgalis). Consequently, people will flourish at both individual and societal levels concerning spiritual and material welfare.

The Two Treatises of Government.The First Treatise of Government aimed to object the theological Divine Right of Kings proposed by Sir Robert Filmer. Filmer argued that people are not naturally free, and the legitimate leadership is based on absolute monarchy – kings – with the subjects being slaves to the rulers (Uzgalis). Locke stated that neither religion (Biblical passages) nor reason supported the Divine Right of Kings doctrine (Uzgalis). Therefore, he argued that people are naturally equal, and a legitimate government is chosen for the people by the people (Tuckness). Consequently, they do not have to trade their rights to enjoy certain benefits in society. If the government fails to meet people's needs, they can overthrow it and install a more functional one.

In The Second Treatise of Government, Locke argues against Filmer’s claims on the monarchial rule. Locke holds that following Filmer’s view, governments are established by force and violence (Uzgalis). Locke's account involves natural rights – those human beings should enjoy before the government exists – and the social contract. The argument held that kings do not have absolute legitimate sovereignty over their subjects.

In the Second Treatise, Locke tried to distinguish the nature of illegitimate and legitimate governments and their roles. Locke defined political power as the right to enact laws and penalties, property preservation and protection, and employ force in the execution of the rules, and defense from foreign injury for the good of the public (Uzgalis). Considering the state of nature, whereby no government has absolute political power, there would be sufficient equality, resulting in maximum justice in the community (Uzgalis). While this idea is not an actual historical state, it is a useful analytical tool that Locke uses to illustrate the benefits of limiting the power of governments over their subjects.

The role of a civil government is to protect property, health, and the right to life of its citizens, and to punish unlawful actions. According to Locke, an illegitimate government fails to execute its functions, and in some cases, it is involved in the violation of its citizen’s rights (Uzgalis). Therefore, members of civil society should establish a legitimate leadership structure to protect their wellbeing.

Religious Toleration.In different nations, people practice more than one religion. This was still the case in Europe during the 17th century (Uzgalis). Massive religious persecutions and civil wars dominated the period following differences in faith doctrines (Uzgalis). Locke's view on religion was unpopular to many. While most leaders supported the idea of homogeneity of religion, Locke emphasized freedom of worship. He stated that using force to make people adhere to certain beliefs is illegitimate (Uzgalis). Therefore, the persecution of citizens on a religious basis was inappropriate because every church believed itself to be the true one; there was no qualified judge to decide which was correct (Uzgalis). Hence, the most logical approach is to allow every citizen to practice their faith in their desired ways, as long as they do not violate the life, health, liberty, and property rights of others.

Locke’s Philosophy and the American Revolution and the Constitution

The ideas discussed in Locke’s Second Treatise of Government had a significant influence on the American Declaration of Independence (“Foundations of American Government”). As mentioned before, Locke believed that the government's role is to protect people's natural rights, which are life, liberty, and property. If the government fails to fulfill its purpose, the citizenshave the right to overthrow it and elect a more functional one (Uzgalis). Thomas Jefferson followed this idea as he drafted the Declaration of Independence (“Foundations of American Government”). This marked disintegration of the colonial government, and the beginning of the formation of a new one.

Certain political philosophers influenced the British colonial government. They include Adam Smith, Sidney, Rousseau, Paine, Montesquieu, and Hume (Doernberg 58). However, their philosophies did not favor the colonies. Therefore, the framers of the Constitution accepted and followed Locke's theories (Doernberg 58). Consequently, they designed their government in line with Locke's concepts of legitimate leadership. According to Doernberg, one of the key reasons why Locke’s political philosophy was widely accepted was its incorporation in the Declaration of Independence (60). Self-ownership, the natural right – to strive for survival – and the protection of life, liberty, and property became the key aspects considered in the formation of a new government (Doernberg 60). Hence, the government was viewed as a trustee to ensure public wellbeing. This formed the basis of the American modern civil rights and the Constitution, which are protected by a legitimate political power.

Locke’s religious views had a significant influence on the creation and adoption of the United States constitution. According to Wardle, Locke's philosophies contained ideas that had an impact on the U.S. colonists, especially on the Declaration of Independence (297). Locke’s principles influenced the freedom of religion, as described in the Bill of Rights (Wardle 297). This was one of the essential steps in ensuring a smooth transition to the post-colonialization period. The freedom of worship would minimize discrimination against particular religions, promoting equality for all, making America a nation not ruled by force and violence.

Locke's work was both, directly and indirectly, impactful on the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Wardle argued that Locke’s political philosophy created a climate that facilitated the creation of the Constitution, and making it acceptable. There are three ways to view Locke's indirect influence on the Constitution. One, his ideas motivated the founding fathers of America to create a new government (Wardle 297). Consequently, Locke's work highlighted the weaknesses of the colonial government, which was illegitimate, thereby necessitating the creation of a legitimate one to protect the life, liberty, and property of the Americans. Moreover, the U.S. was weak and afraid of a central government due to the suffering it had encountered at the hands of the colonialists (Wardle 298). Therefore, even if one tried to form or change the government, there was no assurance that the plan would be fruitful. Nevertheless, change is inevitable. The Lockean philosophy and reasoning motivated the founding fathers to form a new government under the American Constitution (Wardle 298). England had stopped governing the Americans; hence, with the Lockean optimism, the framers of the Constitution started devising a way to govern themselves (Wardle 299).

Secondly, Locke’s works formed the foundation of the Constitution. Locke’s philosophy emphasized that all people are equal; hence, none is the master or slave to the other. This idea insinuates that all people should enjoy equal natural rights and protection by the government. Such ideologies are the basis of the rule of law and the Constitution.

Finally, Locke’s works motivated the public to accept the Constitution (Wardle 298). The laws proposed by Locke were equitable for all; hence, they promoted justice. Since the Constitution was based on such ideologies, the public readily ratified it. The framers of the Constitution were aware that might have its imperfections (Wardle 302). However, they drafted it following the Lockean ideals, making it more acceptable.

The first sentence of the Constitutions preamble suggests that the people created the American government; it does not exist over them, or independently (Doernberg 52). This alludes to the fact that America is a democratic nation, and the people have power over the government. Also, it attributes to the contributions of Locke on the Constitution. Locke acknowledges a legitimate government as one which protects the rights of the people and whose sovereignty does not undermine the rights of the people (Uzgalis). The American Constitution allows its citizens to vote in a new government every four years. This exercise provides an opportunity to remove a government that does not protect public interests and elect a better one. In Lockean reasoning, this act is equivalent to overthrowing an illegitimate government that does not protect the life, liberty, and property rights of the people.

Conclusion

Locke’s political philosophy contributed to liberalism and democracy in the U.S. Locke’s works focused on self-ownership, property, and the role of the government in human life, and stood against authoritarianism. Some of Locke’s renowned essays are Locke is famous for the Two Treatises of Government and ALetter Concerning Toleration. In the First Treatise, Locke objected to the theological Divine Right of Kings, which held that people are not naturally equal, and subjects are servants to their kings. In the Second Treatise, he distinguished a legitimate government from an illegitimate one stating that the former protects the life, liberty, and property for its citizens. Else, people have the right to overthrow it. In the Letter of Toleration, Locke stated that people should be allowed religious freedom because it is impossible to force them to adopt a new faith. These ideologies had a significant influence on the American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. While certain political philosophers influenced the British colonial government, the fr...