This paper seeks to argue that the notion of executive prerogative forwarded by John Locke as a necessary political tool for a sovereign to exercise in times of national emergency is not practically or theoretically suitable in a modern context.
Furthermore, the paper seeks to reveal a theoretical tension between Locke's idea of executive prerogative and more valuable foundational political ideas such natural rights and social contract theory.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Precarious Prerogative
- Executive Prerogative and its Application in the United States
- The Need for Decisive Action
- The Danger of Unchecked Prerogative
- Modern Context and the Weakness of Revolution as a Check
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the Lockean notion of executive prerogative and its suitability for application in the United States. It explores the potential benefits and dangers of granting an executive unlimited power in times of crisis, considering historical examples and the evolution of political systems since Locke's time.
- Executive prerogative as a theoretical framework for addressing crises
- The potential for abuse of prerogative power
- The limitations of revolution as a check on prerogative
- The tension between prerogative and other political concepts like social contract and natural rights
- The relevance of Locke's theory in a modern context
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Precarious Prerogative: This chapter introduces the concept of executive prerogative as a theoretical framework for addressing societal crises. It highlights historical examples and emphasizes the need for decisive action in times of emergency.
- Executive Prerogative and its Application in the United States: This chapter examines the potential benefits and dangers of applying Locke's theory of prerogative in the United States. It explores the issue of unchecked executive power and its potential for abuse.
- The Need for Decisive Action: This chapter delves into the rationale behind Locke's notion of prerogative, highlighting the need for an executive capable of taking decisive action for the public good, even when acting outside the law.
- The Danger of Unchecked Prerogative: This chapter analyzes the potential consequences of unchecked prerogative power, discussing the lack of explicit limits and the potential for abuse by an executive. It cites historical examples to illustrate the potential dangers of unmitigated executive power.
- Modern Context and the Weakness of Revolution as a Check: This chapter examines the suitability of revolution as a check on executive prerogative in a modern context. It considers the increased complexity and interconnectedness of modern society and the potential consequences of open rebellion.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Executive prerogative, Locke, social contract, natural rights, revolution, crisis, unchecked power, abuse, modern context, United States, political theory, historical examples.
- Quote paper
- Seth Carter (Author), 2016, Precarious Prerogative. An Analysis of Lockean Political Thought, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/371798
