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Comparing John Locke And Absolutism

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First and foremost, Jean Domat advocates the idea of absolute monarchy, whereas John Locke`s theory serves as a basis for the contemporary liberal-democratic state. Liberal democracy stands for freedom and equality of every citizen, civil and political liberties, power separation as well as open society whereas absolute monarchy concentrates power in hands of one individual (Smith). The second difference is that Jean Domat`s idea presupposes that monarch acts in accordance with Will of God, whereas Locke applies for the natural law of morality to control citizens. Therefore, regarding to the Domat`s theory, the main function of the government is to represent the will of God. Any action taken by the government must be obediently met by all people without no judgment as monarch is only God`s lieutenant, and his duty is to spread the order of God among the people. Monarch should strictly and peacefully follow all the orders of God. John Lock, however, considers that the government`s function is to support and protect its society, ensuring that none of their rights is violated. He insists that people should be strictly guided by natural laws of morality. …show more content…
Moreover, both theories in certain measure insist on disobedience. Whereas Locke`s idea is to resist if the government doesn`t fulfill its function, Domat states that disobedience is possible if the obedience to monarch`s order is regarded as disobedience to God. Hence, disobedience is not excluded in both cases (Locke& Domat).
To sum up, it is necessary to say that Domat and Locke regarding the function of government illustrate an emergence of a new worldview within Europe. Advocating for justice, based on religious or moral rules that all people must follow, they show that society has moved to a new level of the development, which implies new vision of functions, duties and obligations of the

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