Locke and Jefferson
Questions
- Outline the contributing factors to the conception of Constitutional monarchy, and specifically the Constitution of the United States, and discuss the impact of Locke’s political ideas on their developments.
- What is meant by “unalienable rights”?
- How does Jefferson justify revolution?
Locke and Jefferson
Outline the contributing factors to the conception of Constitutional monarchy, and specifically the Constitution of the United States, and discuss the impact of Locke’s political ideas on their developments.
- John Locke was an English philosopher who is regarded as one of the Enlightenment Era’s most significant intellectuals. His theories on natural rights and governance influenced the United States’ Founding Fathers, who utilized them as the foundation for the United States Constitution.
- The notion of natural rights served as the foundation for Locke’s political theories. He felt that all humans “have certain inherent rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property”. These were seen as divinely bestowed and could not be revoked by any authority.
Locke also felt that government should be founded on popular consent. He felt that citizens had the right to overthrow a government that failed to respect their basic rights. - Locke’s thoughts inspired the United States’ Founding Fathers greatly. They utilized his views to help establish the foundation of the United States Constitution. The Constitution was written to defend the inherent rights of the people and to guarantee that government was founded on popular consent.
- Locke’s thoughts on natural rights and government had a significant effect on the formation of the United States Constitution. His thoughts aided in the formation of the United States as a country.
What is meant by “unalienable rights”?
- The United States’ Founding Fathers thought that all human beings possessed certain basic rights, which they referred to as “unalienable rights.” “Among these rights were the rights to life, liberty, and property.” These rights were seen as divinely bestowed and could not be revoked by any authority.
- The Founding Fathers utilized Locke’s theories on natural rights to help shape the United States Constitution. The Constitution was written to defend the inherent rights of the people and to guarantee that government was founded on popular consent.
- Locke’s thoughts on natural rights had a significant effect on the drafting of the United States Constitution. His thoughts aided in the formation of the United States as a country.
How does Jefferson justify revolution?
- “Jefferson’s rationale for revolution is founded on the notion that all men have some basic rights that must be protected. He thinks that the government exists to preserve these rights, but that if it fails to do so, the people have the right and responsibility to overturn the government and replace it.”
- “Jefferson’s argument is predicated on the assumption that all men are equal and have some fundamental rights. The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are among these rights. When the government fails to preserve these rights, it is the people’s obligation to remove the government and install a new one.”
