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What Did Locke Think Would Happen Without Government

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We The People Unit 1 Question 1
By: Sebastien, Dharen, Torger, Sophie, and Kallie

(Sebastien) Many people know about John Locke and his view on government, but he might have had more to say. John Locke was an English philosopher who wrote about natural rights. John Locke believed that a form of government would be beneficial to the United States. This is because he thought the purpose of government is to protect the natural rights of citizens. Though this is a valid point, Locke didn’t state that a government has to have executive order, establish justice, and ensure domestic tranquility.

Q:What did Locke think would happen without government?

(Dharen) Locke believed that it was crucial to have a form of government, because without it the society could fall into a state of nature. In “Two Treatises on Government” Locke stated “MEN being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of his estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.” When Locke wrote this his meaning was that without a government there would be chaos and every man for himself or the so called state of nature. The government to Locke was that whoever signs into this contract will live under peace and civil life, but will not have full freedom because they have to abide by the rules in order to keep a civil life. …show more content…

(Sophie)
John Locke believed that the purpose of government is to protect the natural rights of the people, which are life, liberty, and property. Without the government, citizens wouldn’t be able to keep their natural rights safe in a state of nature. The government protects these rights when every individual in the community agrees to live under a social contract. The government then creates and enforces laws that limits citizens’ liberty.

Q:Do you think government might have purposes that Locke did not

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