John Locke On Rights

Who is John Locke ?

John Locke lived from 1632 to 1704, he was referred to as the "father of liberalism" and widely recognised as one of the most significant intellectuals of the Enlightenment. Locke is also popularly known for his conception of social contract. Locke promoted the social-contract theory according to which authority comes from the people's consent.

According to this view, the role of government is to protect natural rights, which for Locke, includes the rights to life, liberty, and property. However, when the government violates the contract, people have the right to revolt against the State. 

Other contributions of John Locke, like he is also considered as the founder of Empiricism, according to which sense experience is the only source of valid knowledge. According to Locke, the mind is empty, like a blank sheet of paper. It is a "tabula rasa," or a blank slate. All the components of knowledge and reason originate from Experience.

On Rights 

The early modern 'natural rights' theories laid the foundation of the present conception of rights. Such theories tell us about certain restrictions on how people treat each other, particularly the relation of the State with the individual.

Rights and Duties always come together, when individuals in the State enjoy rights, it means they are also bound to follow certain duties. The rights are also defined as the privilege of individuals against the power of the State. Like if someone has 'right to life' it means the State has to protect life. 

Here , we have to ask a question , why do we have to follow the authority of the State??

When an individual accepts the authority of the State, it is called a political obligation. In the context of political obligation John Locke gave the justification for obeying the authority of the State. He claimed that State was the result of social contract, only the making of common authority could protect individuals from the uncertainty of 'State of nature. 'State of Nature is a hypothetical concept which describes the situation where there is no state authority , in this situation, people govern themselves without any common law. This situation is very chaotic and Unpredictable. 

According to John Locke, where there is no law, there is no freedom.

According to liberal philosophy, the State serves as an impartial referee for the people. The State's impartiality is a reflection of the fact that it operates in the best interests of all citizens, serving the public interest or common good.

John Locke defended the idea of minimal State. According to him, the main purpose of the State is to protect a set of "natural" or divinely granted individual rights, notably "life, liberty, and property."

Locke claimed that the first contract led to the formation of civil society. Man had rights in the Natural State, but there was no official acknowledgement or assurance of them. As a result, in the first contract, parties have formally recognised each other's rights and guaranteed them.

A government is established as a result of a second contract. Three natural rights that people possess have been ceded to the State.

1. The power to make legislation. 2. The power to enforce laws. 3. Right to adjudicate law.

Thus, the common authority with three organs developed. Judiciary, Executive, and Legislative The rights to life, liberty, and property belong to man alone. Assuming that someone can live their life without these rights is irrational. For the existence of man, they are extremely fundamental. These rights are unalienable.

Locke introduces the idea of consent-based government, which includes elections for the head of State. The government will be formed by those who receive a majority. Locke, therefore, supports the majoritarian form of government. Consent is a symbol of a person's free will.