John Locke
Why Do We Have Government?
John Locke (1632-1704) was a philosopher who wrote about how governments get their power and
rule their people. Locke was influenced by the Glorious Revolution. During his lifetime, the people of
England worked to limit the king's power, create a well-organized parliament, and establish certain
freedoms for everyone. He published Two Treatises on Government in 1690. The first of the treatises
explains why political power should not be hereditary. In his second treatise, he argues the power of
the government would come from the people. His ideas influenced many and helped inspire both the
American and French revolutions.
Although he shared some of Thomas Hobbes beliefs, Locke's ideas were different in many ways.
Hobbes and Locke agreed that governments are created to keep order. They also agreed that
governments exist through a contract between the ruler and his people. However, Hobbes believed that
most people would be selfish and mean in a state of nature (without government), and Locke argued
people generally would be kind and helpful. Locke's beliefs about human nature influenced his
writings.
In a state of nature, people have the opportunity to do anything. Complete freedom can easily be
abused. As a result, people give up some of their freedom to create a government that protects their
rights. Locke believed, "...government is the proper remedy for the inconveniences of the state of
nature." he also believed that the power of the government comes from the people. As Locke says,
"Man being ... by nature all free, equal, and independent, (can not be) subjected to the political power
without his own consent." In other words, when the people choose the government, they will accept its
power.
To make sure that a good government is formed, a social contract is created between the leaders and
the people. The political leaders promise to protect the citizens' natural rights, and the people promise
to live by the laws of the government. According to Locke, natural rights include the right to life,
liberty, and property ...... no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions."If
the government protects these rights, then the people must be supportive. However, if the government
does not keep the contract, the people have a right to rebel. As Locke said, when the political leaders
try "to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery..., they put
themselves into a state of war with the people who are freed from any further obedience (to the
leaders)."
Locke also wrote about the type of laws that should be created. He wanted to make sure not only that
people's property would be protected, but also that everyone would be treated equally. According to
Locke "(t)he...chief end ... of men's ... putting themselves under a government , is the preservation of
their property." His definition of property included anything that a person created; "The labor of his
body and the work of his hands we may say are properly his." He also believed that "established laws
(are) not to be varied in particular cases ... one rule for rich and poor, for the favorite at court and the
countryman at plow." In other words, everyone should have to obey the same laws and suffer from the
same punishments for breaking them.
Locke's writing has encouraged many people to think about political leadership. Clearly he influenced
people during his lifetime, as well as future generations.
Thomas Hobbes
Why Do We Have Government?
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) was an English philosopher who was influenced by the
English Civil War. In 1651, he published Leviathan, two years after the English had
killed their king. In Leviathan, he wrote that an absolute monarchy is the best form of
government. He also argued against a division of power between the king and
parliament. He thought the division of power in England helped cause the war.
Although his thoughts were soon challenged by Enlightenment philosophers, his ideas
changed political thinking for many years.
Hobbes's beliefs about human nature influenced his political beliefs. According to
Hobbes, most people are mean and selfish. If people lived without a government in a
state of nature, they would always think of themselves first, and they would fight with
each other. He wrote, "...during the time men live without a (government) they are in a
condition which is called war ... every man, against every man." This constant warfare
would make "the life of man, solitary, nasty, brutish and short." Obviously people do
not want to be at war constantly. To avoid war, people give up some of their freedom to
a government that will protect them. Clearly, he believed that governments are created
to keep order.
Hobbes thought that a government would need unlimited power to keep order. Although
he believed that different government could work, he argued that an absolute monarchy
works best. The monarch would have the power to create laws, censor speech, control
property, and choose a successor. Hobbes believed that only way for people to "live
contentedly; is, to confer all their power and strength upon one man..." he knew that
some monarchs would abuse their power, but he though an abusive monarch was better
than total disorder. Hobbes wanted the people to have only one right, to protect their
own lives.
Hobbes's views on revolution also were interesting. He argued that rebellions should be
not only illegal, but also impossible. If a government is powerful, then a revolution can
not start. Rebels will not be able to develop support. However, if a revolution is
successful, then the old government was not doing its job, and the new government has
a right to rule. Nonetheless, he generally believed that people should not overthrow the
government, even if life is terrible.
Hobbes's ideas encouraged many people to think about why governments are created
and how they should be run. In addition, Hobbes's writings became a starting point for
many Enlightenment philosophers who challenged his beliefs and developed their own
political theories.
Why Do We Have Government?
Directions: Students should answer the following questions based on the readings. All answers must be
specific and should contain evidence from the readings when appropriate.
1. What is purpose for government?
2. What is the purpose of government according to Thomas Hobbes and John Locke?
3. Which contemporary governments serve these purposes?
4. What governments do not serve these purposes today, or have not served these purposes in the
past?
5. If a government is ineffective, what should be done?
6. How should the United States government respond to other governments that do not serve the
purpose of government as defined by Hobbes and Locke?
7. What is the best form of government and why?