John Locke and The Social Contract

Why Important Analyzing the social contract theory can show how we as a people can improve upon our own social contract and show what course of action we may take to change for the better of all people

Key Terms State Of Nature Sovereign Social Contract Law of Nature (Within Locke’s the Social Contract Theory)

John Locke Born August 1632 Died October 1704 English Civil War had a profound affect upon him Most famous work is the Two Treatises of Government published in 1689

U.S. Constitution Replaced the Articles of Confederation Ratified June 21, 1788 Oldest written national constitution in operation.

Similarities between U.S. Constitution and Locke U.S. CONSTITUTION Article II section 3. President of The United States has the power to call congress into session. John Lock Quotes “It is not necessary, no nor so much as convenient, that the Legislative should be always in being. But absolutely necessary that the Executive Power should, because there is not always need of new Laws to be made, but always need of Execution of the Laws that are made.” John Locke, Two Treatises of Government (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1988) 369.

Continued….. Article II section 2. President has wartime and national security powers “Who being present, and acquainted with the state of public affairs, might make use of this Prerogative for the public good?” And where else could this be so well placed as in his hands, who was entrusted with the Execution of the laws, for the same end?” John Locke, Two Treatises of Government (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1988) 371.

Differences Between U.S. Constitution and Locke U.S. CONSTITUTION Article III Judicial Power Constitution calls for a Republic John Locke Has no Judicial Power in his government the executive power is the judicial power Although John Locke oppose the divine right of Kings he still believed that social contracts could exist with Kings

Conclusions John Locke did influence the American revolution and the United States Constitution to an extent but no more than any other great philosophers of the time Although his words can be found throughout early American writings David Hume, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Charles Montesquieu had just as much if not more influence on the United States Constitution than Locke.