Theories regarding the source and acquisition of knowledge, the needs of human life, necessity of freedom, inequality, the general will and the collective good outlined the beginning of civil society. It was from here that an understanding of the political society was built. Good government, sovereignty, and legitimate authority are the definitions upon which the modern state is built. Fundamental to our contemporary understanding of the modern government is the work of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jaques Rousseau. The liberals who theories laid the groundwork for the basic structure and principles of the modern political order. Each begin with varied accounts of the state of nature and then furthered their perspective by expanding
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His notion of the right to “Life, Health, Liberty, or Possessions” (Locke, 271) is found in every progressive constitution. The state of nature was defined by Locke as “Men living together according to reason, without a common superior on Earth” (280). Locke ascertains we naturally belong to “a state of perfect freedom/a state also of equality” (269). This condition is governed by reason, the law of nature that commands everyone (Locke, 271). It is by this law that Locke articulates “all men may be restrained from invading others rights, and from doing hurt to one another” (Locke, 271). His conception of natural rights is the foundation upon which modern government is built. As seen in the constitution of a state, the basis for all legislation is to protect and uphold these rights. The concept of rights, as outlined by Locke require the government to act in certain ways. Natural rights manifest themselves through legal norms which are constituted as legal rights by the modern state. As “all men are naturally in that state [of nature], and remain so, till by their own consents they make themselves members of some politick society” legitimizing those
His notion of the right to “Life, Health, Liberty, or Possessions” (Locke, 271) is found in every progressive constitution. The state of nature was defined by Locke as “Men living together according to reason, without a common superior on Earth” (280). Locke ascertains we naturally belong to “a state of perfect freedom/a state also of equality” (269). This condition is governed by reason, the law of nature that commands everyone (Locke, 271). It is by this law that Locke articulates “all men may be restrained from invading others rights, and from doing hurt to one another” (Locke, 271). His conception of natural rights is the foundation upon which modern government is built. As seen in the constitution of a state, the basis for all legislation is to protect and uphold these rights. The concept of rights, as outlined by Locke require the government to act in certain ways. Natural rights manifest themselves through legal norms which are constituted as legal rights by the modern state. As “all men are naturally in that state [of nature], and remain so, till by their own consents they make themselves members of some politick society” legitimizing those