Nature bestowed right to freedom on human beings in the state of nature, according to the naturalist. The right to freedom possessed by individuals in the state of nature allowed them access to the land. Therefore, possession of property emanates from the ability of individuals to work the land, according to John Locke. As a result, individuals had unequal possession and right to property in the state of nature. The departure from the state of nature to the political state means that human beings moved with their rights of ownership to property. However, the land that was free for all to work upon in order to acquire right of ownership is being controlled by the state in order to prevent unequal distribution of resources and promote redistribution of common good amongst the people. And also, to effectively manage the scarce resources in the civil state that form the basis of property ownership in the political state. Therefore, individuals in the political state are duty bound to the state authority in terms of obligation and respect for the state laws. On the other hand, the state is expected to protect and guarantee the rights of the people. In the case of breach of the trust reposed in the state, the essence of departing the state of nature has been defeated and consequently, the state has lost its legitimacy. Therefore, right to property commands obligation to the state. This essay aims at discussing Locke's political thought on 'property and obligation' as demonstrated in Schochet's work on 'guards and fences.'
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. From State of Nature to Civil Society: right to life, labor, and appropriation
3. Political Obligation as a function of Protection of Individual Right to Property by the State
4. The Seeming Contradiction
5. Land as property vs. Life, Liberty and Estate as a Collective property
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The work examines the interplay between property rights and political obligation within the framework of John Locke’s political theory, specifically analyzing how the transition from the state of nature to a civil state necessitates the protection of individual property to justify political authority.
- The role of natural rights in the state of nature and their relationship to common goods.
- The transition from communal ownership to individual appropriation through labor.
- The legitimization of political authority based on the protection of individual property rights.
- The continuity and transformation of rights as individuals move into a civil society.
- The moral and legal obligations of the state versus the individual in protecting natural rights.
Excerpt from the Book
From State of Nature to Civil Society: right to life, labor, and appropriation
According to the naturalist approach to political thought, the principle of equality applied to all human beings. That is, people had an equal right to life, the environment, and the resources therein. In Locke's political thought, he argued that people in the state of nature enjoyed the intrinsic right to life which accorded them personal ownership over themselves. This personal ownership of their lives translated into freedom of choice which allowed them to engage in labor activities within the common environment in the state of nature. From these labor, activities emerged the appropriation of goods (usually land) to themselves for their own use from the available common good.
However, Sir Robert Filmer criticized the theory of common good and equal possession of public good in the state of nature as espoused by Grotius. In his criticism on Grotius’s conception of right to property, Filmer argued that a condition of common ownership of good with equal individual right to property installed by God could not have produced unequal possession of individual property and domination by the people (Schochet, 2000:367), and that Grotius’s philosophy of property puts human beings in a position to disregard God’s law of nature and also to create law of nature not made by God; which he calls ‘dominion.’
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a foundational overview of the complementary nature of property and obligation in Lockean theory, establishing the state of nature as a space where natural rights are recognized through reasoning.
From State of Nature to Civil Society: right to life, labor, and appropriation: Analyzes the naturalist principle of equality and explains how individual labor transforms common goods into private property, while contrasting Locke’s views with Filmer’s critique.
Political Obligation as a function of Protection of Individual Right to Property by the State: Explores the transition to civil authority as a necessary step to resolve conflicts arising from property competition and population growth, positing that state legitimacy relies on the protection of these rights.
The Seeming Contradiction: Addresses the challenges faced by successive generations in the civil state regarding consent and inheritance, and explores how children inherit both property and the obligations inherent in the civil society.
Land as property vs. Life, Liberty and Estate as a Collective property: Concludes the analysis by distinguishing between the specific appropriation of land in the state of nature and the broader interpretation of life, liberty, and estate as inherent natural rights retained within the political state.
Keywords
Locke, Political Thought, Property, Obligation, State of Nature, Civil Society, Natural Rights, Labor Ownership, Common Good, Appropriation, Political Authority, Social Contract, Inequality, Life and Liberty, Filmer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work explores the relationship between property and obligation in John Locke’s political theory, examining how individuals transition from a state of nature to a political state.
What are the central themes discussed?
Key themes include the appropriation of common goods through labor, the legitimacy of the state, the protection of individual rights, and the moral obligations arising from property ownership.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze how Locke justifies the existence of a political state through the necessity of protecting the individual’s natural right to property.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The text employs a philosophical analysis of Locke's primary writings and interprets them through scholarly critiques, specifically referencing the work of G. Schochet.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the state of nature, the mechanism of labor-based appropriation, the transition to civil society, and the distinctions between various forms of property.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is best characterized by terms like political obligation, Lockean theory, property rights, state of nature, and social contract.
How does labor influence property rights in Locke's view?
Locke argues that labor is the source of value; by applying labor to the common environment, an individual gains the right to appropriate that land or resource for their own use.
Why did the transition from the state of nature to civil society occur?
The transition was necessitated by the need for a neutral authority to protect properties, adjudicate violations of rights, and manage the growing competition over limited common resources.
What happens to the rights of children in the civil state?
Locke argues that children are not automatically bound to the political society of their parents; they retain an inherent right to consent and choose the society they wish to join.
Is the state's authority absolute regarding property?
No, the state's legitimacy is functional; it depends on its ability to protect the individual's right to property. If the state threatens these rights, its primary purpose is defeated, leading to potential social instability.
- Citation du texte
- Mr. Sesan Adeolu Odunuga (Auteur), 2019, Discussion about Locke's Political Thought on "Property and Obligation" in Schochet's Work on "Guards and Fences", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/458020
