The Influence Of John Locke's Stance On Property

John Locke’s Stance on Property “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” While writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson believed these ideals were to be the focus of the government. This phrase, however, was adapted from John Locke’s focus of government: “Life, liberty, and property.” John Locke, unlike other philosopher such as Hobbes, believed that personal property was essential for life and protecting that property was to protect yourself. Locke also believes that with the ownership of property comes unequal property ownership Today, there are still debates on what constitutes one’s property and how to implement policies that can create an equal distribution of property (ex. The wage gap). Locke, therefore, argues that different types of property ownership, even in the state of nature, comes from adding value to that

One could say that man does not actually consent to the system, they are just born into it. If people don’t actually consent to a currency system, then they do not consent to the unequal distribution of wealth. There is no document you have to sign at a certain age to declare your support for the system, so how does one consent as Locke says? This is a valid argument. However, Locke believes that be being a part of a system, just as we are a part of a society, you are consenting to that currency and its value; thus, you are consenting to an unequal distribution of property. The consent does not have to be an active, verbal or even written consent. Just by spending money for goods or services is enough to be consenting to currency. One could, in theory, survive without currency by only trading goods for other goods or services. One person could withdraw their consent by not using the system; however, the inequality for the distribution of property and wealth will never by truly eliminated unless an entire society withdraws their