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Political Theory: Comparing Locke, Rousseau and Plato

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Political Theory: Comparing Locke, Rousseau and Plato
Locke: What is the purpose of politics

- we could live in the state of nature, we don’t need contract or soverign

- life, liberty and property

State of nature: men live according to reason and governed by reason

- man exists in the state of nature in perfect freedom to do as they want, a state of perfect freedom

- not necessarily good or bad, bit is calm and peaceful

- men give up some of their freedom to secure the advantages of civilized socity

- men have the right to protect their freedom (killing if necessary)

- bound by the laws of nature

- contrast with hobbes: everyone has the right over everything, there exist no private property

- Liberty to do as he will, but not harm others

Purpose of government:

- to secure the natural rights of property rights and liberty

- we need law enforcers (soverign), we give power to one person and in doing so this creates a government

Private Property:

- one established once you mix your labor with good

- most important because we must create a state because of the scarcity of resource (prisoners dilemma) and the innovation of money

- mandatory to own property while living in commonwealth, can mix labour with other peoples resource (compensated)

Representation:

- ensures the government represents the people

- safeguard against oppression

- disapproval of absolute monarchies; they are arbitary and represent interest of one

- governement must always be for the people

1. government must be desgined to protect the people from the gov

2. natural rights must be secured

Rousseau:

- mans main drive is self preservation, but thinks that hobbes and locke overestimated the likelihood of the state of war

- men are inherintely good

State of Nature:

- gives life to general will, so all can live well

-
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