John Locke and Commercial Capitalism
Political philosopher John Locke ideas and theories serve as a foundation in our democratic world. In the Second Treatise of Government sovereignty is placed in the hands of the people. Locke argues that everyone is born equal and has natural rights in the state of nature. He also argues that men have inalienable rights to life, liberty and property. The central argument around the creation of a civil society was with the protection of property. In this essay I will explain Locke's theory of property and how it is not anything other than a "thinly disguised defense of bourgeois commercial capitalism." This statement is defended through Locke's personal background and his justifications for the inequalities of wealth.
Locke did not write in a vacuum. His background and interests influenced his writing in the Second Treatise of Government. Locke's theories revolve heavily around the acquisition of property. Locke, himself, came from an affluent family than and he was a part of the Whig movement. It would have been in Locke's best interest to promote a philosophy that emphasized the importance of the property in a civil society.
John Locke was born in 1632 to a prosperous family on a modest estate. He was educated at the prestigious Westminster School in London and received a bachelor's and master's degree at Oxford University. His studies were concentrated on philosophy and medicine. After leaving Oxford he became friends with the first Earl of Shaftesbury, which led him into politics. Shaftesbury the leader of the Whig movement had a great influence on Locke. The Whig movement was a faction that supported the exclusion of James II and VII from the thrones of England, Ireland, and Scotland (wikipedia). The Whigs were often associated with the great noble houses and wealthy merchants. By coming from a wealthy family he would naturally want to defend the status he has come from. Also, by associating with the Whig party, this further emphasizes the
Locke did not write in a vacuum. His background and interests influenced his writing in the Second Treatise of Government. Locke's theories revolve heavily around the acquisition of property. Locke, himself, came from an affluent family than and he was a part of the Whig movement. It would have been in Locke's best interest to promote a philosophy that emphasized the importance of the property in a civil society.
John Locke was born in 1632 to a prosperous family on a modest estate. He was educated at the prestigious Westminster School in London and received a bachelor's and master's degree at Oxford University. His studies were concentrated on philosophy and medicine. After leaving Oxford he became friends with the first Earl of Shaftesbury, which led him into politics. Shaftesbury the leader of the Whig movement had a great influence on Locke. The Whig movement was a faction that supported the exclusion of James II and VII from the thrones of England, Ireland, and Scotland (wikipedia). The Whigs were often associated with the great noble houses and wealthy merchants. By coming from a wealthy family he would naturally want to defend the status he has come from. Also, by associating with the Whig party, this further emphasizes the
Cited: Locke, John. Second Treatise of Government. Ed. C.B. Macpherson.: Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, (1690) 1980. www.wikipedia.org