Essay on Consent to be Governed

Submitted By deejohnym
Words: 567
Pages: 3
Open Document
Derick John Daquioag
World Views
Robert Hajaly
November 3 2014
A Defence of Locke
Locke’s view on government as set out in “Of Civil Government: Book II” is that governments and governed societies emerge on the basis of individuals consenting to be governed. Furthermore, because of the laws of nature and the state of nature consent is the only legitimate way that government can be established (Locke, 1689). Obviously, this is problematic as generally speaking, no individual born into current day societies (with the exception of immigrants) explicitly consents to be governed by that society. In this essay it will be shown that Locke’s explanation of consent is sufficient to establish legitimate governments given it is possible to leave societies which we would in an everyday western sense consider to be legitimate.
Locke himself realizes that consent of every person within society to every act passed by government would result only in constantly dissolving and re-emerging societies (Locke, 1689). Therefore, one consents to be a part of a particular society rather than consents to every part of that society. This does not immediately seem to be a problem. However, it becomes quickly apparent that even this level of consent is not possible in certain cases. For example, babies are born into and become members of society and yet they cannot consent to anything in that stage of development.
Locke answers this problem in particular by reference to the notion of property. Property rights and inheritances are generally speaking protected by society. Furthermore, in the case of property that is land it is likely tied to a specific place that is part of a nation. He says that if a son inherits from his father under these circumstances, he is consenting to be governed because his consent is tacit in his acceptance of his inheritance because of the nature of property in relation to society (Locke, 1689). This notion of tacit consent, however, raises another issue. This is because if an individual born into a country can give tacit consent to be governed by its ruling powers, then is not a travelling or visiting individual giving tacit consent by using amenities such as roadways etc. to be governed? Clearly this would
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Consent to be Governed

Why Was The Us Constitution Important

Independence were added upon in the Constitution. The Constitution entitles many citizens of America with the ability to choose their own direction in life, unalienable rights protect a peoples’ freedom of life in order to pursue happiness, and consent of the governed means that the government protects its people by giving its citizens the power to keep it just and free. Unalienable rights means that people get the chance to pursue happiness. The Constitution protects this by unifying the States with…

Words 491 - Pages 2

The Right To Happiness Essay

It allows the people to have a voice and not have a dictatorship. The consent of the governed means that the people have a say in some things that happen in the government. It's the government making their choices by what the people say/vote for. “Government exists to secure the rights of the people and must be based on the consent of the governed.”(Doc C) This quote means the the government is in place to keep the rights of the people and it also has to be…

Words 703 - Pages 3

Declaration Of Independence Dbq

addressed in the Declaration of Independence. Natural rights, the consent of the governed, and the right to alter or abolish the government are a few of the ideals contained…

Words 797 - Pages 4

Politics: United States Declaration of Independence and Government Essay example

church. This method was very democratic compared to the way Catholic churches were formed. That idea was carried over into their social contracts and eventually their government. In order for any government to exist, it needed to have the consent of the governed. 3. (a) The distinction between liberty and license or true liberty and corrupt liberty is simple. Locke explains liberty as the state of nature and as a state of equality in which no one has power over another, and people are free to do…

Words 2441 - Pages 10

Declaration Of Independence Document Analysis

The Declaration of Independence serves many purposes. It was a document declaring the US to be independent of the British Crown. It is an important part of American democracy because first it contains the ideals or goals of our nation. This document signifies the birth of a nation, instructs free citizen and provides hope for all people who want to be free. It is the birth certificate of America. It is the reason why we celebrate the 4th of July every year because it was signed on July 4th, 1976…

Words 474 - Pages 2

My Rights Dbq Research Paper

there would be no freedom if the same man or the same group controlled all three powers at once.” (Montesquieu, Doc C). This combined with “To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed… whenever any form of government become destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it…” (Jefferson, Doc E). As all put together, Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness are the rights of the people and…

Words 517 - Pages 3

Explain The Ideals Of The Declaration Of Independence

be chosen to draft what would later become the Declaration of Independence. This Declaration was what made us a country and separated from those who treated us unjust. This document built on four main ideals equality, unalienable rights, consent of the governed and the right to alter or abolish government. These ideals would fortify and protect our country for centuries to come. Each of these help to support the people and the country but one surpasses all of the others. After a careful contemplation…

Words 680 - Pages 3

History: United States and America Essay

understanding of statecraft, because the United States’ foreign policy has always been accountable to the American people through their elected representatives. Their diplomacy served the interests of their rulers, and did not reflect the consent of the governed. America’s independence and its commitment to civil and religious freedom has made the United States a prosperous nation, and that prosperity has made it strong. America’s principles have also made it a just nation. In order to safeguard…

Words 751 - Pages 4

Declaration Of Independence Beliefs

America, but many argue over which should be deemed most important. Which of the four beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence is most important? The Declaration of Independence lists four ideals; among these are equality, liberty, and consent of the governed. However, the right to abolish or alter government is the most important ideal. With this right, the power truly lies with the people. In 1989, Chinese students protested against the government. The group wanted an end to corruption and called…

Words 428 - Pages 2

Declaration Of Independence Dbq Essay

colonists wanted independence from Great Britain and listed what they wanted their governed society to include (BGE). In this list of ideals, the Declaration of Independence expresses the equality of all men, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and consent of the people under the government. Although our society today still has issues with some of these ideals, we are still working towards the goal of a perfect governed society. It is clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence that “all men…

Words 611 - Pages 3