Locke and Government

Term Paper # 104256

Philosophy
Political Science > John Locke
Political Science > Political Theory

This paper looks at John Locke's concept of government as a trust.

943 words () | 6 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how John Locke conceives of government as a trustee, exercising power for the benefit of the society in general. The paper discusses Locke's "Second Treatise on Government" and how a critical requirement of goverment for Locke is that the power of government can never extend farther than the common good, and to be directed to no ends but the peace, safety, and good of the people. The paper concludes that Locke set the foundation for much of the political theory of western democracies.

From the Paper:

"A trust is a legal arrangement under which one person (or entity), a trustee, exercises power over property for the benefit of someone else, the beneficiary. This power must be exercised for the benefit of the beneficiary in keeping with the concept of fiduciary duty (Black, 1680). John Locke envisioned government as a trustee for the benefit of society.
"As he explains in the Second Treatise on Government, beginning in chapter 9, entitled "Of the Ends of Political Society and Government," the individual gives up the rights he has in the state of nature in order to enjoy the security of a governed society. In the state of nature, "he be absolute lord of his own person and possessions, equal to the greatest, and subject to no body" (ch 9, 123), but "the enjoyment of [this freedom] is very uncertain, and constantly exposed to the invasion of others" (ch. 9, 123). To gain the benefits of order, he will give up his freedom, but only so that he can improve his condition."

Sample of Sources Used:

Black, Henry Campbell. Black's Law Dictionary. Rev. 4th ed. (St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Co., 1968).
Locke, John. Second Treatise on Government. Dated fall, 1996; accessed 17 May 2007; available at
(preface): <http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/locke/locke2/locke2nd-a.html#PREFACE.>;
(chapter 7):<http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/locke/locke2/locke2nd-b.html#CHAP.%20VII.>.
(chapter 9): <http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/locke/locke2/locke2nd-c.html#CHAP.%20IX.>;