Human nature In order to accurately understand the concept of political power, and develop it from its source, we must first understand the nature of man. Naturally all men are in a state of perfect liberty. This signifies that they can dispose of their persons and possessions and can order their actions in the way they see as fit, within the limits of nature’s law, without depending on or asking permission from any other man. A state of equality should exist amongst all men. A state of equality in which all jurisdiction and power is equal and no individual has more than another of the same rank and species, born promiscuously to similar advantages of nature, and having identical facilities should have the same rights …show more content…
Other than crime which is the violation of the law, which occurs when man becomes degenerate, varies from the right rules of reasoning, quits from abiding to human nature’s principles, and becomes a noxious creature, there is the aspect of injury inflicted to an individual or some other person. That individual should receive compensation from this injury, in which case the receiver of such damages, has in addition the right of punishment which is common to him and mankind. He has the right to seek repatriation from the person who committed it and any other individual, who finds it to be just, can also join the injured and help him to recover from the actions of the offender to the extent that they feel is satisfactory in light of the harm suffered. Political power This refers to that power which each person in the state of nature has surrendered up into the society’s hands and the governors whom the community has set over itself. With this tacit or express belief, this power shall be administered for the good of the society, and the protection of its property. Political power is also used for punishing the breach of nature’s law so that the individual together with the rest of mankind are preserved. Political power when in the magistrate’s hand has no other measure or end but to the preservation of possessions, lives and liberties of the
Equality means that everyone has the right to be treated equally and appropriate for their individual needs.
What makes a political authority legitimate? A legitimate political authority, in this essay, will be taken to mean that there is a justification for an individual or a body to have power over other people in determining such things as laws and protection of freedom. To consider this question, three theories shall be looked at – Hobbes’, Rousseau and finally Locke and determine which gives the most persuasive account of legitimate political authority. To begin with, their hypothetical starting point, the state of nature, shall be discussed to establish the foundations of their political authority. Secondly, the reasons that shall lead man to get out of the state of nature will be examined in order to see if these logically follow on from
As per the 1948 Universal announcement of human rights, all individuals regardless of their background are all born equal before the law. This declaration made by the powerful nations and signed by all nations strong and weak that belong to the United Nations reflects the thoughts of many earlier philosophers to include the 16th & 17th Century Martin Luther, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke. However, each philosopher -based on their times and experiences gave a different value to how men use their freedom and equality in presence of the other in a society, and in relation to political authority. As determinant of his freedom to act and think, the three writings focused on the will of man, the promise that shapes the social contract, and the
When looking into the ideas of political theorists it is important to the use of political concepts that may play an important role in what the theorists are suggesting and also how they may affect the relationship between to state and the individuals living within a state. The concepts that will be looked at within this essay are: power, authority and also accountability.
Power: the political power is the ability to shape and control the political behavior of
Equality means to treat everyone the same. Everyone should have equal opportunities and access to resources and services regardless of their individual needs or differences. For example equal access to a building for wheelchair users.
Over the length of this course, we have discussed several aspects of politics. We have studied citizenship and obligations to society as a citizen, justice and what it means to us as individuals, and how to go about enacting change within a community and around the world. Some of the most important topics from this class included the characteristics, duties, and obligations of rulers of government. In addition to the concept of rulers, we also studied the notion of authority and the moral and metaphysical implications of authority to individuals ' autonomy. Within each concept of study, we read works from many authors with conflicting ontologies, constructed from their differing views on human nature.
Political Power and Natural state: He explains the need for civil government; by detailing life with the absence of civil government. This is the premature state of an entity; through this one can see the need and a role for a government structure. He begins by defining
To understand political power aright, and derive it from its original, we must consider what estate all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of Nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man (...)
Modern day power originates from the mind in that we give certain figures power based upon man-made forms of value or worth like money. The definition of power has fluctuated throughout time, and while the past may have emphasized the more violent aspects, today, we have shifted towards a more control based interpretation. Both Michael Foucault and John Berger delve into the idea of power and its functionality. Based on their texts, in our current socio-cultural setting, power is best exploited when the concept behind the power is deindividualized for many purposes, internalized by the people, and integrated throughout society to the point that its origins is mystified.
“Political power is a special sort of good. First, it is like other things men and women make, value exchange and share. Second, it is unlike other goods because power is the regulatory agency for other social goods.”
Because humans are naturally inclined to organize and categorize themselves, the idea of power is very prevalent in society. Aristotle recognized this fact millennia ago, denoting the human as the “political animal” for these tendencies. Power tends to coincide with many of the desired traits and characteristics of life, including sovereignty, glory, respect, and fulfillment. This paradigm lends to the high value ascribed to public office and positions of power; many believe that power will endow the holder with happiness. Upon further inspection, though, this model seems to break down. The elevated status of the powerful is questioned, as is its overall worth and if power is even possible for humans. Through the discourse between Lady Philosophy and
We have to contend, in the exercise of our personal power, with the influences of such power-channels in our environments and how they add to, limit or distort our exercise of power - e.g. hierarchies, coalitions,
A state is sovereign when its magistrate owes allegiance to no superior power, and he or she is supreme within the legal order of the state. It may be assumed that in every human society where there is a system of law there is also to be found, latent beneath the variety of political forms, in a democracy as much as in a absolute monarchy, a simple relationship between subjects rendering habitual obedience, and a sovereign who renders obedience to none. This vertical structure, of sovereign and subjects, according to this theory, is analogous to the backbone of a man. The structure constitutes an essential part of any human society which possesses a system of law, as the backbone
The just exercise of political power is conceived of as resting upon constitutional principles. Constitutional principles are a position from which we operate justly. However, what constitutes as just? Throughout history political power derived from many historical foundations that were deemed just based on the society that upheld those principles. This notion is evident throughout the development of constitutional doctrines in Greek democracy, Aristotle’s political theory, Roman Republicanism, and English Constitutionalism.