Corinna Majorino Assignment 2 The Second Treatise on Government First set of Questions 1.) What was Locke’s view of humankind? Locke was an influential and intelligent thinker. Property and nature were highly recognized by Locke. That was more of his prized possession. He demonstrated the fight for rights and believed people were sovereign. Liberty rights, property rights and life rights. Locke believed that everyone should be treated equally. I a white person can do it, so can a black. If an African did it, so can an Asian. All rights were equal for everyone. Equality was a state of Locke’s that he tried to enlarge. No man was/is superior to another. He demonstrates freedom and individualism as well as regards to the bill of rights and …show more content…
constitution. The preservation and protection of the natural rights are highly supported by Locke and that then concludes to me how social contract is applicable in today’s society. He forms an understanding of the state of nature, which is regarding the institution. Our governments runs by protection of human rights and having freedom which Locke best demonstrates. 2.) What two ideas of Locke won the attention of many intellectuals? The right to preserve property, and also liberty were the two ideas of Locke that won the attention of many intellectuals He states that no one should harm one another.
These are your natural rights as a person. 3.) How did Locke influence Jefferson? Locke had influenced Jefferson in regards to the Declaration of Independence. Reasoning why is because of what Locke’s has stated on the natural rights to life, freedom, government, individualism, liberty and property. He explained how every man has their own freedom, self-sufficiency, property and their own individualism. Jefferson came to terms of being influenced by Locke’s proposal. 4.) Explain the famous quote. “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” The quote “We hold these truths to be self-evident” was part of the Declaration of Independence. It was said by Jefferson. This quote highly stresses how vital it is for all men to be equal. That means equal in life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Jefferson originated the theory from Locke and continued to make some additions. The legitimate government’s role is to protect “certain unalienable rights”. This would conclude life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Some people over step the word happiness. It is not meant for you to feel self-satisfaction or cheerful daily. It is meant that you have lived your life to the fullest with …show more content…
potential. Second set of Questions 1.) Historically, people never actually lived in a “State of Nature,” nor did they ever actually agree to a “Social Contract” in order to end that state. Is it useful to reason about society on the basis of conditions that never existed and events that never took place? Due to the fact that people did not actually live in a “State of Nature” nor agree to a “Social contract,” it still makes me believe it’s useful to reason about society. Governments today would not exist without the creation of rights. The Declaration of Independence was written to demonstrate the explanation of how the colonies wanted independence. Locke was of great significance to the Declaration of Independence. Locke declared, “Law teaches all Mankind, who would but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his Life, Health, Liberty, or Possessions.” Locke was an inspiration to the founding fathers which led to the world/society we live in today. The basis of conditions that never existed still made a large significance. 2.) If Locke was correct about the origin of governments, why do people so often tolerate evil and tyrannical regimes that respect neither life nor property? Everyone has their own view or in other words political reasoning. Which is why some people frequently tolerate evil and tyrannical regimes that respect neither life nor property. There are a large amount of controversies as well as philosophical beliefs. This causes a different perspective on many different situations. Every philosopher has their own view, which everyone has the option to agree or not. People often tolerate evil and tyrannical regimes because they are scared to step up to the plate and disagree and explain how they feel. It is vital that you state when you can’t tolerate something that’s disrespecting your property or life. Governmental predicaments involving property or life itself can have views from all different angles. Everyone has their own perspective, like I mentioned some people will not speak up. In addition, there can be several causes as to why people so often tolerate negative regimes that respect them. Third set of Questions 1.
What were the major tenets of mercantilism? What impact did mercantilism have on European countries as well as the United States? Use outside research to support your argument and be sure to site all of your sources. Do you see any similarities between Adam Smith and the writings of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau? Building a powerful a wealthy state is a nation purpose which is known as mercantilism. It states how power depends on wealth and vice versa. There are major tenets of mercantilism. One was to balance the trade of both gold and silver into the country which was used to maintain domestic employment. The term “mercantile system” was developed from Adam Smith. The system actually was extremely beneficial to the Western European dominate. It helped the trade operation by forming colonies from European countries. It stresses how encouraging exports and restraining imports have enriched the country as well as political economy. The goods traded were beneficial for the increase in
profit. I do notice similarities between Adam Smith, Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau as well as differences. They are similar due to the fact that they are all strongly opinionated, intelligent philosophers that have made a huge impact in the world. They all addressed different political and economic views in society. Adam smith was more of the money man. If it had to do with wealth or labor it was revolving around him. Smith was more involved with economics and society. Whereas Rousseau was focused on social inequalities within society. Locke and Hobbes studied more on human rights in society. The government we currently have was impacted greatly from these philosophers.
John Locke's Second Treatise of Government and Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence are two of the most significant texts of all time. Many countries around the world have used these texts as the foundation for their declaration of independence. These authors laid the base for the knowledge of the State of Natural Rights of human being which is the establishing bases of our government. We can understand that The Second Treatise of Government and the Declaration of Independence are very identical in their message, which clearly substantiate Locke's work influenced Jefferson. Unpredictably as it is, Jefferson has been suspect over the times for plagiarizing John Locke.
Jefferson’s language in the Declaration of Independence shows clear influence from Locke and his theory of Life, Liberty, and Property. Locke’s idea of government is one that sets out to protect these rights and once a government becomes more destructive than useful it is the right of the people to dissolve the government and start over from scratch. It can be seen that Jefferson’s view of government, through his criticisms toward the British Parliament, are in direct alignment with Locke’s.
Jefferson expressed his concerns and disagreements with the king in the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson's main points focused on the lack of natural rights the colonists were granted. With the natural rights of the people removed the people and the government would not be able to function. When the king eliminated freedoms that colonists once had he stripped them of their grounds for life. Jefferson also focused on equality. He stated that all men were created equal and by equality he meant that all men (and women) rich or poor all had God given rights that no person should be able to restrict them from having.
The way that Jefferson structured The Declaration of Independence made the article extremely influential. Jefferson first starts by sharing his belief that governments and monarchies that do not represent the people. He then goes on to tell the rights that he believes all people should have all over the world. The rights he describes are simple and reasonable. From there his last line of that paragraph is “to prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid World.” Then he starts to describe the injustices done to the colonies by the English crown. His structure works well to persuade people because he does not start immediately accusing the king of all these injustices or with strong languages. Like all good speakers and authors, Jefferson starts off with a lightly worded statement about when a group of people should start a new government. He then transitions to a slightly stronger statement about human rights, and then he goes into his compelling injustices of the king. The injustices that he describes include “He has plundered our Seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our Towns, and destroyed the Lives of our People. The Declaration of Independence is...
There are many different ways in which the Enlightenment affected the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. One way was the by the idea of a Social Contract; an agreement by which human beings are said to have abandoned the "state of nature" in order to form the society in which they now live. HOBBES, LOCKE, and J.J. ROUSSEAU each developed differing versions of the social contract, but all agreed that certain freedoms had been surrendered for society's protection and that the government has definite responsibilities to its citizens. Locke believed that governments were formed to protect the natural rights of men, and that overthrowing a government that did not protect these rights was not only a right, but also an obligation. His thoughts influenced many revolutionary pamphlets and documents, including the Virginia Constitution of 1776, and the Declaration of Independence.
Smith is against mercantilism, which puts more government emphasis on exports than imports and typically puts high tariffs on imports. The goal of a nation, according to Smith, is to be wealthy, and that means to have plenty of affordable goods and services. To Smith, the best political order would be centered on the market. The goal would be to have a larger market so the citizens would be able to specialize more and increase production. It appears that Smith’s views on the type of political order are along the lines of what we consider capitalism today, and that Smith does not agree with the government involvement in citizen’s life. In this type of political order, the citizens profit from their product, and they also help others by hiring workers and paying rent on the property they are using. The success of the individual is determined by his or her wealth, and wealth is the amount of stuff an individual can buy with his or her money. To be a successful nation, all of the individuals have to be wealthy, and therefore the nation will be
In a similar economic revolution, the colonies out grew their mercantile relationship with England and developed their own expanding capitalist system. The idea of a set amount of wealth in the world and that if one were to become wealthy, he or she had to take from someone who is already wealthy, is basically what mercantilism means.
Locke believes that everyone is born as a blank slate. According to Locke there is no innate human nature but human nature is something we create. And because we are born as an equal blank slate all men have the opportunity to create human nature therefore Locke believed all men are created equal. Unlike Bentham Locke believed that government needed to take a step back and allow for each individual to have the right to three things: life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The Governments role should not be in dictating people what to do but to allow individuals to their three
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence for the American colonists to proclaim freedom from Great Britain's oppressor, King George III. American colonists had been suffering for many years when this important document was drafted. King George III had pushed the colonists into a state of tyranny and most decided it was time to start an independent nation under a different type of government. Jefferson focused his piece toward many audiences. He wanted not only King George III and the British Parliament to know the American's feelings, but also the entire world. The time had come for an immense change amongst the American colonists and Jefferson made sure everyone was aware of it by using his superior strategies of persuasion.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (“Declaration”). These words, spoken by a wise and prominent man by the name of Thomas Jefferson, were greatly influenced by the Enlightenment’s most profound philosopher, John Locke. Since the beginning of Enlightenment to the 21st century, Locke’s ideas have been behind countless innovators, philosophers, and politicians; including our very own Founding Fathers. From being an enlightened philosopher to creating bold, new ideas, John Locke is the single most influential person in history because he helped establish the basis of modern philosophical empiricism, he was a staunch defender of the power of the people, and he contributed in the social shift into Enlightenment. In due to his superlative philosophies, John Locke successfully illuminated the corrupted 16th century and made way to a world revolved around the radical ideas of Enlightenment.
Smith, Adam. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. 4th Edition. Edited by R.H. Campbell and A.S. Skinner. 1776. Reprint, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1979.
Adam Smith’s economic genius presented in The Wealth of Nations is stimulating because it proves that the economy is constantly changing, but is founded upon basic principles that consistently remain the same. One theme that is regularly reiterated in Smith’s The Wealth of Nations is that each country’s economy plays an important role in the global economy. For example, the idea of the division of labor and trade specialization suggests that each country should utilize its’ resources and citizens’ expertise in order to maximize productivity and gain through trade with other countries. It does not make sense for a country produce a product more expensively when it can simply trade with another country. In addition, the concepts of the invisible
The idea of mercantilism was for nations to export more than they important and accumulate gold or silver, but mainly gold, to make up the difference (Mercantilism, n.d.). At the heart of mercantilism was that by maximizing net exports that would lead them to the best route to national wealth (C.W., 2013). This started “bullionism”, the idea that the only way a person could measure a country’s wealth and success was by the amount of gold that had (C.W., 2013). The best way to achieve “bullionism” was by making fewer imports and much exports. By doing that they make a net inflow of foreign exchange and maximizing the country’s gold stock (C.W., 2013).
The biggest critic of the mercantilist system was Scottish philosopher, political and classical economist David Hume that in 1752, pointed out an intrinsic flaw in the doctrine proposed by mercantilism, later called specie-flow mechanism. The idea is that the trade surplus, the ultimate goal of mercantilists policies, and the accumulation gold and silver was unsustainable in the long run. He advocated the trade surplus, sets forces that tends to reverse itself. According to him. If a country has a surplus with another, the inflow of gold and silver would swell the domestic economy supply and culminate in inflation - there would be too much money for few goods, system operating in full capacity and money not being saved but kept circulating. In the other country, however, the outflow of gold and silver results in falling prices. The deficit country becomes more and more competitive, shifting the trade balance. That being said, Hume defended that a free flow of gold, would lead to an equilibrium in the balance of