When the United States was being founded, the men charged with creation of this novel new system of government drew inspiration from a number of well-known English political philosophers. One of the most overt influences, not merely on the Constitution but even the Declaration of Independence, was John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government. His depiction of both the State of Nature and its transition into civil society heavily mirror the American notion and understanding of the purposes of government. Another less discussed but no less intrinsic influence on the founding document came from Thomas Hobbes. Within his understanding of the role of the sovereign, present in his work, Leviathan, came a subtle but distinct molding in the executive
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269, para. 4). The land was held in common, and every man had the universal right to use whatever he needed as long as he was not wasteful with the resources. However, Locke asserted that this liberty was not license. There was a natural law, one superior to any form of human legislation, which reigned in the freedom of man (Locke, pg. 270, para. 6). Nature demanded that one preserve themselves above all else and preserve the lives of others. One could not “harm another in his Life, Health, Liberty, or Possessions” (Locke, pg. 271, line. 9). From there property entered society. Once man put his labor into the land and gave it value, it became his and his alone (Locke, pg. 291, para. 33). The acquisition of this land subverted wastefulness and instead fostered the creation of money as the precious metal would not rot away. (Locke, pg. 301, para. 48). In order to protect this asset against the essential lawlessness of the wilderness, the people collectively and universally assented to a common civil power. Through this government their rights would be protected, but they would give up the freedom of nature (Locke, pg. 324, para. …show more content…
Even in the composition of the Declaration of Independence, the first official document written in the pursuit of autonomy, those who sought to win freedom and blaze a new path in government administration were heavily influenced by the philosophy of John Locke. One of the most famous lines in the Declaration ends with the “unalienable” rights that all men have just by virtue of existing. They are the right to “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” (US 1776). Even as early as 1776, the Founding Fathers advocated for a government that worked for the people, not at their expense. Its sole purpose was secure those aforementioned God-given rights; the government did not grant them. In the same vein, according to John Locke people enter into society in order to protect their “Lives, Liberties, and Estates” (Locke, pg. 350, para. 123). Although the wording is slightly changed, one can easily infer that property naturally falls under the umbrella of pursuing happiness. This sentiment and those influences then transferred to the writing of the Constitution just over a decade later in
269, para. 4). The land was held in common, and every man had the universal right to use whatever he needed as long as he was not wasteful with the resources. However, Locke asserted that this liberty was not license. There was a natural law, one superior to any form of human legislation, which reigned in the freedom of man (Locke, pg. 270, para. 6). Nature demanded that one preserve themselves above all else and preserve the lives of others. One could not “harm another in his Life, Health, Liberty, or Possessions” (Locke, pg. 271, line. 9). From there property entered society. Once man put his labor into the land and gave it value, it became his and his alone (Locke, pg. 291, para. 33). The acquisition of this land subverted wastefulness and instead fostered the creation of money as the precious metal would not rot away. (Locke, pg. 301, para. 48). In order to protect this asset against the essential lawlessness of the wilderness, the people collectively and universally assented to a common civil power. Through this government their rights would be protected, but they would give up the freedom of nature (Locke, pg. 324, para. …show more content…
Even in the composition of the Declaration of Independence, the first official document written in the pursuit of autonomy, those who sought to win freedom and blaze a new path in government administration were heavily influenced by the philosophy of John Locke. One of the most famous lines in the Declaration ends with the “unalienable” rights that all men have just by virtue of existing. They are the right to “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” (US 1776). Even as early as 1776, the Founding Fathers advocated for a government that worked for the people, not at their expense. Its sole purpose was secure those aforementioned God-given rights; the government did not grant them. In the same vein, according to John Locke people enter into society in order to protect their “Lives, Liberties, and Estates” (Locke, pg. 350, para. 123). Although the wording is slightly changed, one can easily infer that property naturally falls under the umbrella of pursuing happiness. This sentiment and those influences then transferred to the writing of the Constitution just over a decade later in