John Locke's

views on politics

Presented by
Fedotova Elizaveta and Vilinov Svyatoslav
Introduction
John Locke, an eminent philosopher and political theorist,
was born in 1632 in Somerset, England, and played a
pivotal role in shaping modern political thought. His life,
marked by the tumultuous period of the English Civil War,
greatly influenced his philosophical perspectives. Locke's
contributions to the development of political liberalism
and empiricism are foundational.
 Early life and
influences
John Locke's upbringing and education in 17th-century
England, particularly at Oxford University, profoundly
shaped his intellectual journey. His early life was
influenced by the political and scientific transformations
of his era, including the English Civil War and the
burgeoning scientific revolution. Locke's interactions
with prominent thinkers like Robert Boyle and Thomas
Sydenham, and his involvement in the Royal Society,
played a significant role in his philosophical
Robert Boyle development, particularly his empiricist approach.
Main works
1689. A Letter Concerning Toleration.
1690. A Second Letter Concerning Toleration
1692. A Third Letter for Toleration
1689/90. Two Treatises of Government (published throughout the
18th century by London bookseller Andrew Millar by commission
for Thomas Hollis)
1689/90. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
1691. Some Considerations on the consequences of the Lowering
of Interest and the Raising of the Value of Money
1693. Some Thoughts Concerning Education
1695. The Reasonableness of Christianity, as Delivered in the
Scriptures
1695. A Vindication of the Reasonableness of Christianity
Natural Law and
Natural Rights
Locke's theory of natural law and natural rights is
a cornerstone of his political philosophy. He
distinguished between natural law, which is
discernible through reason and applicable to all
people, and divine law, which is revealed through
religious texts and specific to those to whom it's
revealed. Locke argued that natural rights, such as
the right to life, liberty, and property, emanate
from natural law and are inherent to individuals.
His view counters the then-common belief that
monarchs had divine authority over their subjects.
State of Nature
Locke's state of nature concept describes a pre-political
condition where individuals exist without a common
authority. In this state, people are free and equal, living
according to natural law. Locke posited that in the state of
nature, individuals have the right to protect their life,
liberty, and property. This state plays a key role in his
social contract theory, where individuals agree to form a
government for the protection of their rights.
 Property
Locke's property theory is integral to his political
thought. He argued that property rights originate from
an individual's labor. When a person works on
something unowned, like cultivating land, that land
becomes their property. This theory includes the
provision that one must not deprive others of their
ability to similarly acquire property. Locke’s view
supports the idea of private property as a natural right
stemming from individual effort.

John Locke
Consent, Political
Obligation, and the
Ends of Government
Locke believed that political power is justified only by the consent of
the governed. This consent forms the basis of a social contract where
individuals agree to form a government to protect their natural rights.
The government's legitimacy is contingent on serving the ends for
which it was formed—mainly the protection of life, liberty, and
property. If a government fails in these duties, the people have the
right to dissolve it and create a new one.
Locke and
Punishment
Locke’s views on punishment are tied to his beliefs in
natural law and state of nature. He argued that in the
state of nature, individuals have the right to punish
transgressors of natural law to preserve their rights and
the rights of others. This right to punish, however, is
transferred to the government in a civil society. Locke
emphasized that punishment must fit the crime and serve
the broader purpose of deterring future violations.
Separation of Powers and the
Dissolution of Government
Locke was a proponent of the separation of powers within government, which
influenced modern democratic thought. He distinguished between legislative
power, which makes laws, and executive power, which enforces them. Locke
argued that this separation is essential for safeguarding liberties and preventing
the concentration of power. He also held that a government could be dissolved if it
fails to uphold its responsibilities or becomes tyrannical.
 Toleration
Locke’s views on toleration were revolutionary for his time.
He advocated for religious toleration, arguing against the
coercion of religious beliefs and emphasizing the separation
of church and state. Locke believed that civil government
should not interfere in matters of personal faith as long as
they do not threaten public order.

John Locke
Education and
Politics
Locke also explored the relationship between education
and politics. He emphasized the importance of education
in shaping individuals’ moral and rational capacities.
Locke believed that a well-educated populace is essential
for a functioning democracy, as it prepares individuals to
exercise their rights responsibly and understand their
political obligations.

University of Oxford
Thank you for your attention!