Summary Of John Locke's Second Treaties Of Government

In the Second Treaties of Government, John Locke discusses nature and the rights that humankind has in terms of property. In this paper I will be explain Locke’s idea on the invention of money and how it has caused people to not live in accordance with the nature of propriety. Locke introduces chapter five of the Second Treaties of Government by expressing that the Earth is property for everyone to use. “The earth, and all that is therein, is given to men for the support and comfort of their being” (5.26). Locke strongly argues that in order to survive, one must take from nature’s bounty. Virtually, all of nature belongs to everyone as long as it is produced specifically by nature. Readers can ponder the question that if everything in nature

“The same law of nature, that does by this means give us property, does also bound that property too” (5.31). When someone takes more than they need from nature, they are actively depriving others from their right to self-preservation. “by placing any of his labor on them, did thereby acquire a propriety in them: but if they perished in his possession, without their due use; if the fruits rotted or the venison putrefied, before he could spend it, he offended against the common law of nature, and was liable to be punished; he invaded his neighbor’s share, for he had no right” (5.37) Humankind should only acquire as much as they can reasonably use before it spoils. If one were to pick too many apples, not only would they spoil as a consequence of having too many, but they would be overextending their natural right of

For example, if one has too many apples, they can trade them with someone who has too many nuts. This develops a barter that allows the use of both apples and nuts before they spoil. In addition to trade, Locke mentions the desire for a common good to trade for all goods. Henceforth, money was created. “only by putting a value on gold and silver, and tacitly agreeing in the use of money” (5.50). Since money was mutually accepted as a value, it soon fulfilled needs with its imperishable characteristics. “And as different degrees of industry were apt to give men possessions in different proportions, so this invention of money gave them opportunity to continue and enlarge them” (5.48). By introducing the concept of money, humankind can now own and acquire much more than before. Locke claims that since money does not spoil, one can hoard as much of it as they want without the possibility of harming