Pufendorf and Locke

Question 1

Pufendorf’s beliefs

Answer 1

Emerging state system was able to create stability
A God-willed natural law commands men to be sociable, but men are dominated by the pursuit of self-interests

Question 2

Pufendorf, “The Law of Nature and Nations” main themes (2)

Answer 2

The state can authorize actions that no individual has any right to perform
The right to use armed force against each other is an absolute right of the state

Question 3

John Locke, “Two Treatises of Government” main points (6)

Answer 3

Right of the people to depose of their rulers
Individual rights ensures a more just and peaceful society that any othe political regime
State of nature is peaceful, it is not a state of war
In a political society, the people do not give away their rights of nature, instead they can defend them more effectively
War is not the original state of mankind
International relations are governed by the law of nature

Question 4

Hobbes vs Locke on the law of nature

Answer 4

Hobbes: The law of nature is a set of rules to erect civil society
Locke: the law of nature is a guide to peaceful, ethical, meaningful life.

Question 5

Locke on the state of war

Answer 5

God is the supreme judge, he punishes only in the afterlife, so we establish governments that can judge and punish on earth