http://www.thefreemanonline.org/featured/john-locke-natural-rights-to-life-liberty-and-property/#
Read this article on John Locke - just the introduction and the section on "Locke's Two Treatises on Government" - and respond to the following question in a thoughtful, well written paragraph. You may agree/disagree with people who write before you, but please be respectful and please share your own thoughts.
Thomas Jefferson clearly drew influence in his "Declaration of Independence" from John Locke's writing, but there were many in the time period (Loyalists) who believed that the colonies did not have the right to break away from Great Britain. Does Locke's definition of government make sense to you? Do you believe government's only purpose is to protect life, liberty, and property (or the pursuit of happiness)? Do people really have the right to overthrow a government they disagree with?
Thomas Jefferson clearly drew influence in his "Declaration of Independence" from John Locke's writing, but there were many in the time period (Loyalists) who believed that the colonies did not have the right to break away from Great Britain. Does Locke's definition of government make sense to you? Do you believe government's only purpose is to protect life, liberty, and property (or the pursuit of happiness)? Do people really have the right to overthrow a government they disagree with?
ReplyDeleteI think that John Locke's form of government does make sense because it gives all of the power to the people. He states that government can't take away property or tax, "without the consent of the people". I think that government does have the responsibility of protecting life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but that is not the government's only job. I think that it is also important that the government organizes and regulates. I believe that people do have the right to overthrow a government that they do not believe in because a form of government is there in the best interest of the people and if the people don't think it's working than they should be allowed to voice their opinions and demonstrate what kind of government they would like.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Locke's form of government does make sense because the people have the power in the country and the government aren't completely running it. This way of running a country creates a sense of balance between the citizens and the government. The government creates a law of tax and people in the country vote if they believe the law is the right thing to have or not. I believe that the government's main responsibility is to protect life, liberty, and property because they aren't trying to make a certain group happy, they are just there to protect the main assets of people's lives. I believe that people have the right to overthrow a government but not if its in risk of killing or harming people. If the citizens would like to overthrow a type of government it should be in voting so they here everyones opinion.
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