Similarities Between John Locke And Marx

1. Compare/contrast the understanding of "human nature" held by John Locke and Emma Goldman. Explain how these ideas affect their ideas of power and the state – i.e., the role of government in society. From our understanding of John Locke and Emma Goldman, it is apparent that both had very distinctive views on human nature. John Locke, an individual remembered as one of the most influential political philosophers of the modern period, was deeply influenced by the society around him. John Locke believed that man is, by nature, a social animal. He felt that government is formed in order to help keep society in order. Emma Goldman believed that human nature was dependent on the environment and that we do not really need a government. She believed that everyone would seek liberty on their own. She believed that because man would act in their own self-interest we would be forced to exist peacefully. Emma Goldman believed that peace is only possible if the people within a society disarm themselves. She felt that, in order for individuals to achieve what they want, they …show more content…
His theories were so popular several decades ago because Marx shed some light onto the potential inequalities that certain systems could cause. His theories of infrastructure and superstructure exposed that, in a capitalist society, there is a big issue when it comes to the distribution of wealth. It is quite profound how many of Marx’s predictions have come to be. His theories and arguments can still be used to argue for or against some systems that are in place today. Marx predicted that there would be those who were rich and those who were poor not just in terms of members of a nation but the global community. He predicted that global inequality would grow to the extent that it has today. The appeal to his theories decades ago was the fear of what things could immerge into. Marx seemed to feel like he knew the dangers that were around the