John Lockes Second Treatise, of Civil Government Putting...

Lockes Second Treatise, of Civil Government has the main idea of putting sovereignty into the hands of the people, and this was one of the main ideas behind the constitution. It plays in very well, the framers built the government around the people, by making it a republic. On the national level all people are represented, and as it is divided down to state, county, city, etc. the people gain more power. Albeit, there are many differing theories of the motives of the founding fathers, from Gods hand on their minds to the Burkean conservatives they are. In between those are the theories of John P. Roche and Charles A. Beard but those differ almost as much as the God and Burkean theories. Roche thought the founding fathers were†¦show more content†¦With the view point of Locke, I would fully agree with the theory of Roche, for many reasons. In the state of nature, natural law governs behavior, and each person has consent to execute that law against someone who wrongs them by b reaching their rights. But people give up these rights when they enter a civil society, in return they get a community with protection and trust, among other things. So, first of all, Locke stresses the point of trust in each other for a civil society, and in Beards theory he talks about how the framers themselves were distrustful of others and majority rule. But, Roche talks about the compromises each state delegate made when framing the constitution, and that alone breeds trust among them. Locke also believes that when the executive authority becomes too powerful, and no longer represents the people, then they should rebel and appoint a person they can trust. And if the founders are indeed greedy and self-interested politicians looking for personal gain, then Locke would only think of rebelling. But, it is very apparent that the only personal gain came as a coincidence through the compromises the framers made, and they were such a diverse group that none would have the same intere sts to be fulfilled. There were slave owners, and not slave owners, property owners and not,Show MoreRelatedThe Enlightenment And The Enlightenment907 Words   |  4 Pagesaffected the way people understood the role of government. It changed they way they think about the purpose of the government and who should govern them. Individuals did not have to accept despair. Science and reason could bring happiness and progress. Kings did not rule by divine right. They had an obligation to their subjects. Moreover, Declaration of Independence also supported the Enlightenment principles of government advocated by John Locke. John Lockes ideas that people are entitled to theirRead MoreMartin Luther, Thomas Hobbes And John Locke2526 Words   |  11 Pagesthe law. This declaration made by the powerful nations and signed by all nations strong and weak that belong to the United Nations reflects the thoughts of many earlier philosophers to include the 16th 17th Century Martin Luther, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke. However, each philosopher -based on their times and experiences gave a different value to how men use their freedom and equality in presence of the other in a society, and in relation to political authority. As determinant of his freedom toRead MoreLockes Explanation of Creation, Value and Protection of Property5870 Words   |  24 PagesLockes Explanation of Creation, Value and Protection of Property ‘The great and chief end... of Mens uniting into Commonwealths, and putting themselves under Government, is the preservation of their property’ (Second treatise, para.124). How and why does Locke explain the creation, value and