John Locke Social Contract

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John Locke (1632–1704) was an English philosopher. His political writings inspire many liberal thinkers. He was the first thinker of his time who stand against absolutism and underlay the outline of modern constitutionalism.  His political thoughts like natural rights, freedom, Consent, religious tolerance,  right to revolution, limited government etc has played a crucial role to the development of western democracies. 


Ideas on Social Contract 


On Locke’s 'Two Treaties On Government' he wrote about Social Contract.  In first he criticize the Political Thought of Sir Robert Filmer (1588-1653) who support absolutism with patriarchal nature very strongly.  He rejects Filmer's thought about devine rights of king. 


Social Contract 



Human Nature 


Unlike Thomas Hobbies(1588-1679) Locke believe in human nature as a blank state ( tabula rasa) with no ideas. He has only reason and cooperative behavior to survive. He believed that at the time of born mind is empty. So all the knowledge we gain through our senses and experiences. Through reason he respect other's rights.



State of Nature


State of nature is that condition in which humans live without any authority. They have no rules and laws to maintain Sustainability.  Locke believed that before governments were formed, people lived in a state of nature where they were free, equal, and independent. Unlike Thomas Hobbes, who saw the state of nature as violent, Locke believed it was generally peaceful and governed by natural law—the idea that reason teaches individuals not to harm others in their life, liberty, or property. According to john Locke state of nature is a pre Political condition not a pre Social.  



Natural Rights


Locke asserted that every individual possesses certain natural rights given by God:

Right to life

Right to liberty

Right to property


These rights are inalienable, meaning no government can take them away. These rights comes from nature and also exists in State of nature.



Social Contract

 In state of Nature all was good but after some time people become greedy and have diversity in their thoughts. It became very difficult to protects their natural law. To protect their natural rights, people form a social contract—an agreement to create a government.

The government’s main duty is to safeguard the rights of the people. If the government fails in this duty or becomes tyrannical, citizens have the right to revolt and establish a new government.

Locke emphasized that legitimate government derives its power from the consent of the governed. Political authority is not divine or hereditary but based on the will of the people.

Locke supported a government with limited powers that operates under the rule of law. He favored the separation of powers to prevent the abuse of authority.

If rulers violate the natural rights of the people or not capable to protect them, They have right to revolution and make another government.

According to john Locke there would be two contracts one between people and other between people and government. So they have right to change government. Unlike Hobbes he didn't believe that if people revolt or try to escape from contract they would be get back into the state of nature.



Conclusion 

Locke’s social contract theory grounds political legitimacy in individual natural rights and voluntary consent, establishes government as a limited fiduciary institution created to protect life, liberty, and property, and preserves a right of resistance when government betrays its purpose.

Locke’s social contracheory grounds political legitimacy in individual Locke’s social contract theory grounds political legitimacy in individual natural rights and voluntary consent, establishes government as a limited fiduciary institution created to protect life, liberty, and property, and preserves a right of resistance when government betrays its purpose. rights and voluntary consent, establishes government as a limited fiduciary institution created to protect life, liberty, and property, and preserves a right of resistance when government betrays its purp

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