What is stated in John Locke's social contract?

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Answer:
Locke states the existence of a "Natural Law" that transcends any man-made law. Simply put all citizens have a right to "life, liberty and property." Furthermore Locke states that a legitimate government can only obtain its legitimacy from the consent of those whom it governs. Consent is necessary because for any government to exist individuals must voluntarily surrender some of the freedom they would possess if they existed in "a state of nature."

Theoretically this "consent of the governed" should mean that all citizens agree with the actions of the government at all times. Locke, as a pragmatic matter, realized that this is impossible in any society of size so he relied on the idea of a "general will" as expressed by the majority.

Likewise government is also a contract between the government and its citizens. Citizens will surrender some liberty to create a government that allows them to prosper. The clear implication is that citizens have the right to abolish governments that do not benefit their citizens.

Locke's contract theories as well as his philosophy of tabula rasa attacked the then current powers of state established churches and monarchs who practiced absolutism. Locke would be a leading influence on future writers; perhaps most notably Thomas Jefferson in the American Declaration of Independence.

Walter Judd

Clark Advanced Learning Center

Stuart, Fl

First answer by ID3516207151. Last edit by Wjudd. Contributor trust: 1 [recommend contributorrecommended]. Question popularity: 4 [recommend question].

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