John Locke and James Madison

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the differing philosophies of John Locke and James Madison. The paper details how Locke suggests a "social contract" which would bind people together in order to secure their individual rights and the protection of their property. The paper further examines how Madison, in his argument for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, argued that a democracy where all people had a say in government could actually lead to the denial of rights to part of the group - the minority. The paper concludes that if all men were moral, then Locke's system would be the perfect form of government. Unfortunately this is not the case, and so Madison's argument for divided government is preferable, because it protects minorities from ambitious factions.

From the Paper:

"In his famous Second Treatise of Government, John Locke delineates why government is necessary, why people should consent to it, and what they can expect from it. The natural state of freedom into which all men are born is paradoxical because, in that state, all other men are free as well. The attainments of property are useless if a person cannot protect himself and his wealth. For economic and political reasons, Locke suggests people give up some freedom in order to gain freedom from being abused by other free people."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Locke, John. Second Treatise of Government. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1980.
• Rossiter, Clinton, ed. The Federalist Papers. New York: Mentor, 1961.

More papers on John Locke and James Madison:

• Research Paper # 94964 : "Life and Philosophies of John Locke"
• Essay # 65086 : "Philosophical Influences on the Founding Fathers"
• Essay # 56345 : "The Origins of the Constitution"

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