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Comparing Locke's State Of Nature With The United States

578 Words3 Pages

John Locke's theory of the State of Nature explains that humans naturally exist in a state of perfect equality and freedom. The absence of government and laws characterizes this state, and individuals can do whatever they want and acquire property as they please. However, this freedom and equality are not unlimited, and people must follow the Law of Nature, which prohibits harming others' life, health, liberty, or possessions. This law drags people into a State of War if it is broken. In contrast, the United States government was established to protect citizens' rights and maintain law and order. This essay will use primary sources and academic journals to compare Locke's State of Nature with the United States government.
Locke believed that in the State of Nature, everyone has perfect equality, and what one may do, all must do. The executive power of the law of nature is distributed equally among everyone. This concept is similar to the democratic principles founded by the United States government. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson writes that "all men are created equal" and have the unalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This statement embodies the idea of perfect equality that Locke suggests in his theory of the State of Nature. …show more content…

Similarly, the United States government allows citizens to exercise their freedom to a certain extent, with limitations in place. For example, the First Amendment protects citizens' freedom of speech, but there are restrictions against using language that can cause harm to others. The government is responsible for upholding the Law of Nature, and its laws are designed to prevent individuals from infringing on others'

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