Locke in an English (Social) Context
Feudalism | Locke | |
Property | Entitlement from King | Acquired through Labor |
Definition of wealth | Amount of Land | Amount of Money |
Basis of inequality | Betters; elites | Ability |
Power | Hierarchical | Based on Merit |
Politics | King all powerful | Minimal Government to protect freedom and rights |
Society | Stratified | Social Equals |
Revolution | None | Crucial to minimal government and protection |
Governance | By Elites | 'A government of laws not men' |
Constitution | Mixed government | Separation of powers |
Rights | None: Subjects of the King | Natural Rights |
Logical Results of an 'isolated' Lockeianism
Locke when modified by Feudal Structures and Society | 'Mundane' result (Locke without Feudalism or society) | |
Property | Acquired through Labor, but remains 'home' | Disregard for land; land is objectified |
Definition of wealth | Money but the work remains; not alienated labor | Money becomes an end |
Basis of inequality | Ability and tradition | Money |
Power | Merit with responsibilities | Whoever gets power |
Politics | Minimal with traditional structures | To help business |
Society | Equals but 'primus inter pares' | Run by business leaders |
Revolution | Crucial to minimal government and protection but not allowed | Repressed in the name of Progress |
Governance | A government of laws not men if the laws are based on tradition | Elite Pluralism |
Constitution | Mixed government | Mixed Separation of government Functions |
Rights | Rights but not evenly applied | 'Lip Service' rights are objectified |