While these two books had many contrasting thoughts, they did not have many agreements. For

John Locke was perhaps one of the most influential political philosophers of the modern period. In the Second Treatise of Government, John Locke discusses the move from a state of nature and perfect freedom to a then governed society in which authority is given to a legislative and executive power. His major ideas included liberalism and capitalism, state of nature, state of war and the desire to protect one’s property.

John was the most influential political philosopher of the modern period. John wrote the two treatises of government in which he defended the claims that men are by nature “free and equal against claims that God had made all people naturally subject to monarchy” (). He also, argued that the people did have rights, such as, the right to life, liberty, and property, in which they have a foundation independent of the laws of any particular society. Locke also claimed that men are naturally free and equal as part of jurisdiction for understanding legitimate political government. Apparently, the government exists by the consent of the people and, that is in order to protect the rights of the people and promote the public good, for that reason if the government fails it can be resisted and replaced with a new government.

Constitution. John Locke’s belief of “life, liberty, and property” was the most influence on the American. Beside the Magna Carta, Petition of Rights, and English Bill of Rights, Locke also has a great influence of limit government. Locke’s Social Contract theory was to protect the basic rights of the people, it for the right of citizens to revolt against their king. Social contract is a convention between men that aims to discard the state of nature. According to Locke, the State of Nature is a state of perfect and complete liberty to behavior one's life as one best perceives fit, and free from the interfering of others. Also from Locke’s view of State of Nature, he believes it was given by

Philosophers have unique and yet similar ways of interpreting life through a variety of different values and beliefs appointed to oneself. Some philosophers have the ability and courage to stand up to what they are trying to accomplish or for what they believe in, even if consequences follow their actions. Machiavelli and Plato have different perspectives and goals in their writing, however their stories also have some underlining similarities such as being non-Christian. This paper will be examining some of these similarities and differences that can be found in Machiavelli’s “Prince” and Plato’s “Apology” and which thoughts I would come to agree or disagree on.

A government with no rules or goals is not beneficial for the people and has no point in existence. Also, the government’s areas of power should not extend over certain areas of life but be limited to “the public good of society.” Another very important part of this compact is the right to withhold private property from the government. Locke believes that the sole purpose of the government is the preservation of society and never to “destroy, enslave, or impoverish the subjects…” These clearly stated guidelines help governments not only function optimally but also help create a better existence for its

Locke believed that people are willing to unite under a form of government to preserve their lives, liberty, and estate. Since natural law is already good, government not only preserves natural law, but also works to enhance it.

Locke claims that all legitimate political power derives from the consent of the governed to protect their lives, liberties, and properties. In order for the executive prerogative to work efficiently and thrive as it was intended to, there can be no instances of disconnect between the decisions the executive makes through the use of the prerogative and the people. The people consent to being governed and since executive prerogative is a duty of one of the branches of government, the people find a need to establish a trust within the executive so that they can feel that their security and prosperity are protected fairly under the social contract, including during times when discretion is warranted. Locke claims that people are naturally free and equal, but that they consent to a social contract where they transfer the protection of their rights to the government in order to better ensure a stable life. Since governments exist by the consent of the people, governments that fail to protect the public’s rights can be both resisted and replaced with new

Much of modern political thought is attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli, and it is easy to see why that is he from his writings and thoughts in the Prince to the Discourses. In his writings, he starts in the prince by suggesting that one person should lead a country. For that, alone many would disregard Machiavelli for saying that an authoritarian leader would be able to govern best. Since in today's world, we find democratic societies in many different forms, and for anyone to say that an autocratic ruler would be best to run a country is heresy. Machiavelli though was not incompetent and put much thought into his writings. He showed evolving views in the Discourses turning to "ancient knowledge and experience as the first step to applying reason to politics (Sellers)."

Machiavelli’s thoughts on government, and his ideals are very well known through the Prince. Machiavelli’s political thoughts are substantial in the fact that it involves a transformation of the concept of citizenship in relation to liberty and republican government. By comparing principles of the humanist approach to governing in the Prince to divine authority and catholic dogma, clearly a distinction can be made.

Thomas Hobbes thinks that we should have government to protect ourselves from each other because he believes that if we don’t have someone higher up having control over us that we would destroy each other. He also believes that the government’s power shouldn’t be limited. But John Locke thinks that we should have government to protect our natural rights. The government’s power should be limited because they might become overwhelmed with power.

John Locke argues that people deserve life, liberty, and property which are all an essential part of the social contract. The government needs to guard individuals’ lives and safeguard the freedom of prosperity and impose laws that are structured to reward efforts which improve society economically. Locke’s Contractual Theory of Government says that people must willingly do things like pay taxes and serve in the military, but in return, the government had to listen to their desires and provide for their needs. John Locke’s philosophy is one that we are all familiar with because his ideas were used in our Constitution by our founding fathers. According to the United States Senate, “We the

Locke has a differing view that the establishment of political authority is to ensure that men have their property rights protected. Locke believes that the greatest purpose that men have for society is to be able to use their property, and to do safe while doing so. Therefore, Locke believes that the most important positive law that society should establish is the right to legislative power. To be governed under legislative power means that the government has to have the consent of the people. By having a government that is accountable to the people they represent, it will protect the people being governed against oppression, a government that has the consent of the people

During Machiavelli’s time away from politics he wrote the book, The Prince; which is what he is most famous for. In the book he explains his political philosophy and describes the way he feels is the most effective way to rule. Machiavelli is considered by many to be one of the most

The original Social Contract tradition has had many authors, but for the purposes of this paper I will focus on John Locke’s work as one political system that might be used by a nation and the problems it entails that would have to be discussed for modern uses. Locke begins by describing a state of nature that entails equality and a state of perfect freedom for mankind to live as they want within the laws of nature (Locke 2009, 370). Locke’s work argues for his view of property, where a man has the right to the fruits of his labor but not to another man’s (Locke 2009, 372). In his view, the government is meant to prevent on man from seeking punishment that is unfit for the committed crime and that people join together for protection for themselves and their property (Locke 2009, 371-372). He argues also that no one man should be in charge and that a democracy should be used instead (Locke 2009, 371).

Locke states that the government’s power stems from society itself, therefore the government’s role must be to act in societies best interest. This idea is reinforced throughout Locke’s writing. Locke argues the government's primary goal is “the preservation of the society… and the preservation of every person in it” (Locke 134). Locke claims that because society consents to the laws made by the legislature the people can terminate the government's supreme power. Locke then states that any government that does not serve society, that uses their power for personal gain, is a tyranny. This gives society the right to retake the power into their own hands when their interests are being obviously neglected or opposed by the government. This idea states that the King himself must answer to the will of society.