English philosopher, John Locke, based his theories on natural law. Locke, as well as another philos
opher, Thomas Hobbes, felt that a government should be based on a social contract. Although, Hobbes
felt that a social contract is an agreement to give up freedom and live under a ruler, Locke felt t
hat the ruler should have limited power and the government should be acceptable to all citizens. Loc
ke believed people in a state of nature are reasonable and moral. Also they are endowed with certain
rights at birth, called natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property. Thomas Jefferson, valu
ed the views of John Locke.
Jefferson based some of the Declaration of Independence on Locke's view
s. In the Declaration of Independence, it states individuals have certain basic rights that cannot b
e taken away by any government. "...they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable right
, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness..." Jefferson focused on Locke's
concept of a 'Social Contract'. Men are born free and equal in rights.
Furthermore, Locke believed
that if the ruler loses support of his people, the people have a right to depose the ruler. This is
a benefit for the people. Due to the fact that, if the little power that the ruler has, affects his
attitude and he starts turning into a monarch...the people have the right to over throw him.
Locke
sees that, when a population grows and land has become scarce, rules are needed beyond those which
the moral law or law of nature supplies. Thus, the 'Social Contract' comes about. It takes away some
of the freedom the people have, in exchange of protection from the ruler. This is a very excellent
form of keeping a level of security between the people and their ruler.
In conclusion, Locke's id
eas on a government like a democracy, would be the longest lasting and best type of government. A pe
rfect example of a democratic government is America. Locke's ideas on a social contract, the right o
f the people to overthrow their government, and the idea of natural law, would help in establishing
the best government. english philosopher john locke based theories natural locke well another philos
opher thomas hobbes felt that government should based social contract although hobbes felt that soci
al contract agreement give freedom live under ruler locke felt that ruler should have limited power
government should acceptable citizens believed people state nature reasonable moral also they endowe
d with certain rights birth called natural rights such life liberty property thomas jefferson valued
views john jefferson based some declaration independence views declaration independence states indi
viduals have certain basic rights cannot taken away government they endowed their creator with certa
in unalienable right among these life liberty pursuit happiness jefferson focused concept social con
tract born free equal furthermore believed ruler loses support people people have right depose this
benefit fact little power affects attitude starts turning into monarch right over throw sees when po
pulation grows land become scarce rules needed beyond those which moral nature supplies thus comes a
bout takes away some freedom exchange protection from this very excellent form keeping level securit
y between their conclusion ideas like democracy would longest lasting best type perfect example demo
cratic america ideas overthrow their idea natural would help establishing bestEssay, essays, termpap
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