| 1 |
Introduction |
Locke refutes the doctrine of the divine right of kings and argues against Sir Robert Filmer's Patriarcha, establishing that political power lies with the people. |
| 2 |
Of the State of Nature |
Locke describes the state of nature as a state of perfect freedom and equality, where natural law reigns and individuals act within the bounds of reason. |
| 3 |
Of the State of War |
Locke contrasts the state of nature with the state of war, a state of enmity and destruction, emerging when individuals attempt to subjugate others under absolute power. |
| 4 |
Of Slavery |
Locke argues that slavery is a state of war between a conqueror and a captive, as humans cannot voluntarily submit to absolute power without forfeiting their life. |
| 5 |
Of Property |
Locke explores property, theorizing that individuals own themselves and, by extension, the labor they perform and its produce, justifying private property. |
| 6 |
Of Paternal Power |
Locke discusses the family and paternal power, emphasizing that while parents have authority over children, such authority is neither absolute nor unending. |
| 7 |
Of Political or Civil Society |
Locke examines the formation of political societies, arguing that people come together to protect property, consenting to a common authority for order and preservation. |
| 8 |
Of the Beginning of Political Societies |
Locke explains that political societies form via a social contract, where individuals consent to transfer some rights to better secure their liberty and property. |
| 9 |
Of the Ends of Political Society and Government |
Locke states that the primary purpose of government is the preservation of property and the societal benefits it offers, including protection and promotion of the public good. |
| 10 |
Of the Forms of a Commonwealth |
Locke outlines various forms of government, including democracy, oligarchy, and monarchy, each defined by the locus of supreme power. |
| 11 |
Of the Extent of the Legislative Power |
Locke delineates the legislative power's scope, emphasizing its primacy and the need to govern by established laws, aiming for the public good. |
| 12 |
Of the Legislative, Executive, and Federative Power of the Commonwealth |
Locke divides governmental powers into legislative, executive, and federative, each with distinct roles, yet requiring checks to prevent abuses of power. |
| 13 |
Of the Subordination of the Powers of the Commonwealth |
Locke discusses the relationship between different branches of government, stressing that legislative power is supreme but must be balanced by executive power. |
| 14 |
Of Prerogative |
Locke introduces the concept of prerogative, where the executive can act outside the law for the public good, provided it does not undermine the law itself. |
| 15 |
Of Paternal, Political, and Despotical Power, Considered Together |
Locke differentiates between paternal, political, and despotic power, rejecting any form of absolute power and advocating for constitutional constraint. |
| 16 |
Of Conquest |
Locke addresses the concept of conquest, maintaining that legitimate conquest only occurs when it respects the natural rights and consent of the conquered people. |
| 17 |
Of Usurpation |
Locke defines usurpation as the illegitimate seizure of power without consent and asserts that such power lacks the legality and legitimacy of established authority. |
| 18 |
Of Tyranny |
Locke identifies tyranny as the exercise of power beyond rightful authority, and he argues that people have the right to resist and overthrow tyrannical governments. |
| 19 |
Of the Dissolution of Government |
Locke discusses scenarios where governments dissolve, either through internal failure or overstepping bounds, advocating for the people's right to re-establish legitimate government. |
