John Locke The Defender Of Limited Government - 1462 Words

To many, John Locke is known as the defender of limited government. Locke’s limited government can be defined as one in which â€Å"a morally legitimate government coerces only those who freely and voluntarily consent to its authority† (Locke on Government, Arneson). Therefore, in Locke’s theory of politics, a government can only work if its people are consenting. Locke defines consent as either explicit or tacit. Explicit can be defined as obvious whereas tacit would fall under what is understood without being directly stated. For example, one would give explicit consent when signing up for the military and all the government would ask of them; yet on the other hand, one would express tacit consent by simply existing within the chosen state. To live in a state entails that certain laws and regulations must be abided by; however, one still has the ability choose to live in that state. In Locke’s perspective, a limited government is the only type that can w ork because of this idea of consent. According to Locke, humans are ‘free an equal’--therefore, all men are in common and consequently, all men have the ability to consent. This way of thinking is central to Locke’s theory of politics for several reasons. To summarize Locke’s view of government, there should be: a structure of laws, two Social Contracts, consent, legislative power, and an executive power. Locke believed that all men are in a â€Å"state of equality† as well as naturally in a â€Å"state of perfect freedom† (pg. 713).Show MoreRelatedJohn Locke : The Most Influential Philosophical And Political Thinker917 Words   |  4 PagesThe Key to Locke John Locke â€Å"proved to be the most influential philosophical and political thinker of the seventeenth century† (Kagen 213). He lived in a period of great political change; Locke’s upbringing came to influence his philosophies, and these ideas had much significance in regards to the Enlightenment. Locke was born on August 29, 1632 in Wrington, Somerset (John Locke 9: 478). Early on came the outbreak of the English Civil War. Anglican and possessing Puritan sympathies, Locke’s fatherRead MoreThe Morality Of The Market System897 Words   |  4 Pagesvarious systems currently in use. Two concepts are discussed one says that the business system should be planned; the other that it should be a free market system. Further the chapter discusses the various arguments for and against free markets and government regulation as well as the possibility of a hybrid mixed economy system. 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This makes him willing to quit a condition, which, however free, is full of fears andRead MoreEssay Reveiw4144 Words   |  17 PagesRoyal Council in both Spain and England helped monarchs regulate legal affairs and economy but only to a limited extent. Louis XI in France was able to est. 1st national army and a bureaucracy/taxes (Taille and Gabelle) to support it. This was significant. 3. Label not warranted: Royal power did increase but not dramatically. Compared to absolutist monarchs, the new monarchs role was still limited. Not until the monarchies controlled the church did things actually change. Spain did create a â€Å"national