Friday, December 01, 2006

Locke Second Treatise of Government 14-19

Summary:
Some things must be left to the discretion of the executive power for laws cannot cover every possible aspect of life. This power should be for the good of the majority and is not acceptable as an excuse for executive oppression. Therefore the executive power should still be held in check by the laws of legislative power. The government that exists in families is only temporary therefore it does not apply to political life. A man may not give his life into slavery because it is not his own nor can a man enslave another because it is not his to take. Only captives taken in a just war are allowed to be made subjects under a despotical rule. One does not have the right to take possession of cities through any means other than a just war. Even then he may control a city only if the inhabitants consent. The victor of a just war is entitled to the life of the offender but not his possessions or the lives of those he has power over unless they consented with his fight against you therefore making them equally responsible for the war. “whatsoever another gets from me by force, I still retain the right of, and he is obliged presently to restore.” Kings should place themselves under their own laws because, “wherever law ends, tyranny begins.” One has the right to kill a thief that is an immediate threat but not a con artist or liar that has also stolen. “The constitution of the legislative is the first and fundamental act of society.” Whenever a state takes away the property of the people it declares war on them and can rightfully be overthrown.
Question:
Does Locke's view’s in chapter XVI of punishing only those who fight encourage neutral pacifism?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hey I enjoyed your post. Thought I'd get a call from you yesterday.
GOD BLESS
DAD

Does the truth have any bearing on which way you go?

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