1. Second Treatise Of Civil Government
John Locke
Second Treatise Of Civil Government

2. Objectives: By the End of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Identify and Describe the benefits and drawbacks of Natural Law.
2. Explain why we quit the State of Nature and join a society.
3. Analyze Locke’s Treatise on civil government by discussing whether Americans continue to practice his ideals.

3. Locke Built upon Hobbes ideas in Leviathan. Social Contract
Supported Monarchy
Product of Enlightenment
1649 Charles I
1689 Glorious Revolution.
Based on Natural Law
Plainly knowable to man/rational mind.

4. Natural Law State of Liberty is not a state of license-Why?
NL sponsors self preservation of self and the human species.
Why Quit the State of Nature?- One is full of fears and continual danger- Like Hobbes- but need is there to protect property-

5. Flaw of Natural Law Bias of self intent Need for an indifferent judge
Some will resist punishment- Why we need COPS.
Drives us to form the human society- The State

6. The State What is given up in the State? 1. Unlimited Freedoms
2. Power to punish- Anarchy if we could have that power.
BUT….. Life is better not worse for the trade off. Think about it!

7. Legislative Power Essential Element of government of society
1. One set for all- no favoritism
2. Goal is for good of the people.
3. No Taxes without representation-Sound familiar?
4. Cannot donate legislative power(to Monarchy). Or Transfer it to anyone else.

8. Popular Sovereignty
Legitimacy and authority (legislative) come from consent of the people.
Government can forfeit its legitimacy and authority by poor performance or time limits- reverts to community(not individual) to be reformed
Examples?

9. Critical Review
:: Closing question: Americans are committed, in theory to the ideals set forth in The Second Treatise of Civil Government.
Evaluate Locke’s Thesis:
Do the people and the American Government practice these ideals? In society? In Government?

10. Critical Review
It has been said that Thomas Jefferson’s ideas in the Declaration of Independence owe a lot to John Locke. What evidence from the Declaration text supports that statement? Use examples from the Declaration to support your answer.

11. Virtue What would Locke say about virtue?
Did Enlightenment get it right? Rights versus responsibilities?