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John Locke's Second Treatise Of Government

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In the republic democracy of the United States of America, the Founders of our Nation created a system of separation of powers with checks and balances. Our Founders used the philosophy of John Locke in Second Treatise of Government, to give us our “natural rights” and what the state of nature means. For John Locke, the legislature and executive branches must remain separate, for a country to tread past the state of nature and into a governing body. He gives clear insight to what powers each of the branches should hold. Including what should happen in a civil crisis or emergency. John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government built upon the idea that when a civil emergency breaks out, that the Executive branch has the power to do whatever they deem necessary for the “health of the people.” Although, they might have to break the laws of the country, it is prerogative, or good for the whole, to do so. Consequently, if questioned, the people should have the right to limit the Executive (Locke and Macpherson 1980). …show more content…

Our Legislature is not prepared to predict the variety all unforeseeable complications that can arise. In these instances, someone must act. The Executive branch is called to answer. For the good of the country, the Executive should not have to have his answer immediately balanced by the legislature. It takes far too long for laws to be enacted or war be declared. It is punitive that the action commences immediately. In the United States, our Executive has had to use this power in some cases (Locke and Macpherson

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