John Locke (liberal) Flashcards
FIRST CLASSICAL LIBERAL THINKER - John Locke – natural rights, liberty and individualism, fiduciary power of government (14 cards)
What was John Locke’s personal context?
- Given patronage from the Earl of Shrewesbury
- Exiled to Europe during the Glorious Revolution
- Studied at Oxford (Christ College) and studied medicine, later tutored by Thomas Sydenham
- devout Christian
- at 16, he was half a mile away from the execution of King Charles I which was situated close to his school
- first classical liberal thinker
religion, power and global dynamics
Historical context affecting their writing:
- Age of exploration - colonies already established in the Americas
- struggles of power between monarchy and parliament - e.g. Civil War and the Restoration ; culminates personally in the Glorious Revolution
- Exclusion Bill: Parliament gets rid of James II and offers the crown to protestant William and Mary
- lived through civil war and the execution of Charles I
Which time period did he live in?
Pre-industrial setting (1632-1704)
1 on law, 2 on property, 1 on state of nature
Key quotes:
“Government has no other end, but the preservation of property.”
- he prioritises property as the main goal of the state
“Where there is no law, there is no freedom.”
- the presence of law and his view as it being the cornerstone of civilised society - its reflection on American society now
“The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property.”
- his view of the ‘state of nature’/’social contract theory’
“The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law”
- state of nature as the presence of reason, which makes men equal
“Wherever law ends, tyranny begins.”
freedom.”
- the presence of law and his view as it being the cornerstone of civilised society (context with his experience of James)
Terms to use with Locke
- tabula rasa (clean slate)
- egotistical individualism/positive egoism
- foundational equality: begin as equals
- empiricism
What did he believe about the economy?
- Property is a natural right created through labour
- The accumulation of wealth is justified as long as it is the fruit of the holder’s labour
—> contrasts with inherited, aristocratic wealth - The introduction of money leads to inequality in society, but individuals benefit from wealth accumulation. As long as it does not impede the ability of others to gain wealth, than it is good.
What did he believe about the state?
Rejected the concept of the Divine Right of Kings (hence he helped the removal of James)
Power of individuals and institutions must be limited to avoid tyranny
The basis of the state relies on the consent of its people (his version of the social contract theory). Rights must be codified and protected.
What did he believe about society?
- Locke believed those who did not follow the ‘state of nature’ or natural reason (e.g. such as destroying other’s property, life or liberty) needed to be eliminated to protect society as a whole
- you should therefore follow natural, God-given reason
- people come to society to protect their own interests - voluntary (egotistical)
- social contract theory: people willingly sacrifice some freedom for the benefits of law and justice - but people should be allowed to revolt
What did he believe about human nature?
He viewed the ‘State of Nature’ optimistically
- people are free and equal and should be able to govern themselves
- people are born ‘tabula rasa’ and can improve themselves through education
- people have different skills and talents, so are not equal in terms of their nature and therefore outcomes, but everyone should begin as equals
- God endowed us with reason and natural rights
Contrast with Thomas Hobbes
- Viewed the State of Nature very differently - had core ideas of human nature that were almost entirely opposed
- interpretated the ‘social contract theory’ differently as well
Which government did he most directly inspire in its formation?
United States of America
- ‘checks and balances’: three branches of government
- individual responsibility - no/very limited welfare state unlike the UK
- Bill of Rights
- Judges take a larger sense of importance in America
What were his key works and what do they contain about his thinking?
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689) - Locke explains his belief in tabula rasa and how past experiences shape beliefs
Two Treatises of Government (1689) - justifies his belief in the Glorious Revolution and lays out his ideal system of government (much of this was later used as a model for the American political system)
The Reasonableness of Christianity (1695) - explains his devout belief in Christianity, but believes that all denominations should be recognised if they believe in Jesus as the messiah and live in accordance with Christian teachings (more religious tolerance - did this contrast with his removal of James?).
–> VIEWS ON CATHOLICS EXPLANATION
One of the main principles of the American Constitution is ‘freedom of religion’ which seems contrary to Locke’s views concerning Catholics. In his essay ‘A Letter Concerning Toleration’ he argues for a separation between state and church (in that civic interests should be placed above spiritual ones). This context makes his views on Catholicism seem more reasonable, as at the time there was a fear of ‘Rome rule’ due to the spiritual power of the Pope. Catholicism was linked to royal absolutism and anti-liberal ideas, such as Louis XIV who said l’état c’est moi’ meaning the monarch is the state. Therefore, he disagreed more with the principle that laws should be placed below religious beliefs, which aligns with his belief of the law as a central power.
CONTEXT CARD: Explain the events of the Glorious Revolution
(copy and pasted from spartacus- educational)
Charles II and his wife Catherine of Braganza did not have any children. There were two possible candidates to succeed Charles. His brother James and James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, the king’s eldest illegitimate son. Just before he died in February 1685, Charles admitted that he was a Catholic. He also announced that his brother James was to succeed him to the throne.
The Duke of Monmouth fighting at Maastrict in 1673.
In June 1685, the Duke of Monmouth landed in England with a small army. As he was a Protestant he expected most of the population to support his claim to the throne, but people in England were unwilling to get involved in another Civil War. Monmouth was therefore easily defeated by the king’s army.
After this victory James II tried to place Catholic friends in positions of power. However, the Test Acts made it impossible for him to do this. When Parliament refused to change these laws, he ignored it and began appointing Catholics to senior positions in the army and the government. James also announced that he intended to allow Catholics to have complete religious freedom in England. When the Archbishop of Canterbury and six other bishops objected to this, James gave instructions for them to be arrested and sent to the Tower of London.
Some members of the House of Commons sent messages to Holland inviting James’s daughter, Mary and her husband, William, Prince of Orange to come to England. Mary and William were told that, as they were Protestants, they would have the support of Parliament if they attempted to overthrow James.
In November 1688, William, Prince of Orange and his Dutch army arrived in England. When the English army refused to accept the orders of their Catholic officers, James fled to France. As the overthrow of James had taken place without a violent Civil War, this event became known as the Glorious Revolution.
William and Mary were now appointed by Parliament as joint sovereigns. However, Parliament was determined that it would not have another monarch that ruled without its consent. The king and queen had to promise they would always obey laws made by Parliament. They also agreed that they would never raise money without Parliament’s permission. So that they could not get their own way by the use of force, William and Mary were not allowed to keep control of their own army. In 1689 this agreement was confirmed by the passing of the Bill of Rights.
Philosophical developments that influenced their views:
- Rejection of Aristotelian “essentialist” philosophy he was taught at Oxford
- Associated with John Wilkins, Cromwell’s brother-in-law, who formed the Royal Society. They developed an empiricist belief and observed nature.
- inspired by the beliefs of the Levellers, who believed in total equality before the law and were anti-monarchy and believed in a more representative government
