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Response to John Locke’s “The Second Treatise of Government”

 John Locke’s analysis of government stands as one of the foundations of Western government. In his Second Treatise of Government he attempts to explain how humans govern themselves based on all of the different variables that God has beset upon mankind. Locke divides his Treatise in explanation of the different states and the rules that govern them. His views of government, laws, and punishment attempt to create a universal understanding from which he builds his thesis upon.  
 The State of Nature is universal and all men find themselves within, to a certain degree, this state. Right and wrong are concepts that are designed by the general consensus of the community. Each person’s voice is important in shaping the consensus to an acceptable degree, for the general good of all society. Locke explains that no man can harm another’s life, health, liberty without consequence from the community. The community has the right to punish and men can be restrained and punished. The State of Nature allows for punishment up to the penalty of death for any offence. Locke explains that this state only applies to each community individually, and that foreigners cannot be governed by the legislative authority of one group. The State of Nature is the lowest base for Locke’s analysis of government, and shows that it is up the people to judge for themselves what must be done. 
 On the subject of War Locke explains that it is the power to take away the life of those that threaten, and that specific power extends to those that are allied with your enemies. The state of war is a concept that also applies to those that would oppress, cases of absolute power over another individual automatically places them both in a state of War until one side either gives up or relents to that authority. Under War it is permissible to kill in order to defend property, life, and concepts of liberty or freedom in order to maintain self-preservation against absolute authority. Comparing the state of Nature and war, Locke explains that in nature both sides will continue to fight in a state of war until one side is inevitably defeated, or peace is reached. 
 Men are free, equal and independent. Men are able to escape the State of Nature by entering into society. Locke analyzes throughout his treaty all of the different variables that allow mankind to manage their rights as individuals, parts of a community, and as participants in the greater government. It becomes complicated as Locke demonstrates that the powers that rule society are derived from the individual and community’s entrance into society, leaving the State of Nature behind. Men can determine what rules are established and to what extent powers are delegated to the legislative orders of government. Locke’s continual examination of motives, and concepts of justice and morals show how he believes how people should manage to get along with each other. 
 Locke’s Second Treatise of Government is an experiment of the innumerable possibilities of the human community. God given rights of freedom, life, property, and equality are the foundations for what Locke believed would equate to a reasonable society. Locke attempts to explain how communities react against each other and how those relationships can make or break society itself. Based on what was written, Locke was well versed in the monarchies and republics of the past, and from that knowledge he developed his own theories on why governments function the way they do.