Avoiding Corruption In John Locke's Society

Locke believes that the correct way to avoid corruption is the Legislative Branch and what it implies. In Locke’s society, he believes people should trust the government and the government should obtain the trust of the people by taking concern in their opinions. Locke believes that the Legislative branch will help people make educated decisions that include the concern of the people. That the legislative branch should not be the only power, but that it should have rules and laws to follow so it can keep the society safe. All of this is to avoid a government being dissolved, but if so, overthrowing that government is acceptable, as long as it is for the benefit of the society. The Legislative Branch is the supreme power in Locke’s mind, as he believes it will keep the society from corruption.
The rules for Locke’s society relate to trusteeship and accepting the decisions of society, and as the people do this they will establish and put trust in the legislative power, as the laws require. Locke says, …show more content…
Copleston writes, “governments are dissolved when the prince or the legislative act in a manner contrary to their trust, as when either of them invades the property of citizens or tries to obtain arbitrary dominion over their lives, liberties, or property. When government is ‘dissolved’ in any of these ways, rebellion is justified”(Copleston,138).If the trust of the society is ruined by the government, then it is acceptable for that government to be overthrown, according to Locke. When a government is dissolved from within and becomes corrupt, the people should do whatever it takes to gain back peace, including overthrowing the government. If the society is no longer safe and secure due to the government 's corruption, Locke believes rebellion is