209k views
3 votes
What is the purpose of government according to John Lockeâs Two Treatises of Government?

User Parvaneh
by
3.8k points

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

The purpose of government, according to John Locke, is the protection of the three natural rights: life, liberty, and property.

Step-by-step explanation:

These rights are natural because they are also found in a state of nature, however, in such state, people cannot effectively protect those rights. For example, in absence of government you may own a house (your right to property), but your house could be taken from you by a stronger person or a mob.

In other words, government, according to locke, should focus on police and the judicial matters. This form of limited government is the basis of ideologies such as libertarianism or minarchism.

User Ishegg
by
5.0k points