1. NATURAL RIGHTS Philosophy of John Locke (and Thomas Jefferson as expressed in the Declaration of Independence)

2. The Big Question… Why do we need Government?

3. State of Nature What would it be like to have no government? Consider the island…

4. If there were no Government.. These are Rights people have by nature, they are God-given, not man-given Can you think of some specific right that might be considered “natural?” Everyone would have Rights Therefore, they cannot be taken away (unalienable)

5. Locke identified the following “natural rights”: Life How do these relate to our discussion of rights in the Island scenario? How are these rights similar and/or different from those identified in the Declaration of Independence? Liberty Property

6. These rights would be very insecure The strong would prey on the weak Greed Chaos The Jungle The weak might form gangs to prey on others

7. The Social Contract People agree to form a government to protect their natural rights People agree to obey the laws passed under this agreement SO… Every LEGITIMATE form of Government is a type of SOCIAL CONTRACT. It exists by the will of the people.

8. The Main Point Why do we need Government (according to Locke)? TO PROTECT NATURAL RIGHTS ! But, What if a government is not protecting rights, but taking them away?