John Locke ideas Essay

How did ideas of Locke’s Social Contract influence the Declaration of Independence? John Locke’s ideas influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence by the discussion of equal rights, purpose of the government, and what the people should do to an abusive government. Both in the Declaration of Independence and in the Social Contract John Locke, they list that men should have equal rights. Also they both state the purpose of having a government. Lastly, they say what the people should do if the government does not protect these rights. In the Social Contract by John Locke and in the Declaration of Independence they state that men have rights. In the Social Contract it says â€Å"Men have rights by their nature†¦ We give up our right to ourselves exact [revenge] for crimes in return for [nonjudgmental] justice backed by overwhelming force. We retain the right to life and liberty, and gain the right to just, impartial protection of our property. † Just as in the Declaration of Independence it says â€Å"We hold these truths to be [obvious], that all men are created equal, that they are [entitled] by their Creator with certain [mandatory] Rights, that among these Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. † Therefore the Declaration of Independence got the idea Life, Liberty, and pursuit happiness from the Social Contract. Another idea both the Social Contract and Declaration of Independence have in common is the purpose of the government. John Locke’s Social Contracts States â€Å". Society creates order and grants the state its [purpose]†¦ The only role of the state is to ensure that justice is seen to be done† Corresponding to what the Declaration of Independence states â€Å"That to [protect] these rights, Government are [created] [by] Men, [coming] [from] their [own] powers from the [permission] of the [people]. † These writings both mean that the government has a duty to protect the rights of the people. The last thing John Locke did to influence the Declaration of Independence is he created the idea of what the citizens should do to abusive governments. â€Å"If a ruler seeks absolute power, if the acts both as judge and participant in disputes, he puts himself in a state of ear with his subjects and we have the right and the duty to kill such rulers and their servants. † this was the idea in John Locke’s Social Contract. This is very similar to what the Declaration of Independence, which says â€Å"That whenever any Form of government becomes destructive of these [rights], it is the Right of the People to [change] or to [get] [rid] [of] [it], and to [create] [a] new Government†. Both of these mean that if the government does not protect the rights of the people, the people can overthrow the government. How did ideas of Locke’s Social Contract influence the Declaration of Independence? John Locke’s ideas influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence by the discussion of equal rights, purpose of the government, and what the people should do to an abusive government Men have equal rights is both stated in John Locke’s Social Contract and in the Declaration of Independence. Also they share the purpose of what the government should do. Lastly, they share the responsibilities of what the people should do in a abusive government.