WHY WE NEED GOVERNMENT John Locke John Locke

WHY WE NEED GOVERNMENT? John Locke

John Locke Wrote: Two Treaties of Government • State of Nature • Condition of NO government. • Natural Rights • Rights that all people have

Examining State of Nature 1. What is human nature? Don’t define it. Tell what humans are like, overall. In other words, are we typically good, bad, honest, thieves, etc. 2. How do people who run the government get the right to govern? How do they get there? Should there be requirements? What do they have to do to get there? 3. In order to get the people to obey them, What should the government be doing?

Tragedy of the Commons You are a village of 30 families. Your family has lived on this land for years. You are, in a way, entitled to the land. The land has enough grass to sustain 60 cows. Your village is very isolated, moving is not an option, and after all it is “your” land. The problem is the village has 72 cows.

What do you do? • Give everyone in your group a number. • 1 - You are an elder. You have lived in the village for 57 years, who owns 7 cow. You have seen your kids grow and now their kids. You love your neighbors and your land. • 2 – You are a family man who has done well and you own 5 cows. Your cows provide more than enough milk to make incredible trades. You live a comfortable life. • 3. – You are a young man 21 years old, who owns 1 cow. You rely on the cow for your dairy. You do well but your family does not live a lavish lifestyle. • 4. – You are a 43 year old man. You have owned 2 cow for as long as you can remember. You are the proud owner of a new born calf. You see a good future with another cow. • What do you do? • Everyone needs to play their role and make a decision as that person.

What Happened? What is human nature in that situation with NO Government?

In a State of Nature… • Stronger, bigger, smarter will abuse the weaker, smaller, less intelligent. • Weaker, smaller, less intelligent will ban together in groups. • Government will not exist until people create them. • People must consent to be governed.

What are Natural Rights? • The Basic Rights that all people should have • Life • Survive safe from threats. • Liberty • Survive as free as possible. • Property • Own things needed to survive.

Social Contract • A way to protect Natural Rights. • People create and agree to obey laws. • Give Some - Take Some: Give up the right of absolute freedom for security

Most Famous Contract • Mayflower Compact, Yeah that one boat- Pilgrims - 1620 • Two important things: • Self-government • Ordinary people make laws and govern. • Majority Rule • Lets VOTE, one more than half wins! (51 out of 100)

Purpose of Government • To protect your Natural Rights.

Homework Describe how a social contract can be seen in the relationship between you and your parent/guardian. Do you get protection, safety, comfort, etc. from your parents? What types of protection, safety, comfort, etc. do you get? What rights are you giving up to get protection, safety, comfort, etc. ? Is it always fair? Think about it from both sides/points of view.