Analysis Of Locke's Theory Of Property

Political Theory from Hobbes Formative Essay

Title; ‘Locke’s theory of property has an egalitarian foundation but a very inegalatarian outcome’. Discuss

Locke’s theory of property is one of the greatest works of political history, of strong merit and in principle lays out an egalitarian foundation of property ownership. This derives from the fact that Locke was a liberalist firmly believing in equality for all. In his two treatises of government Locke (1764:216/222) believes that ‘God gave the world to men in common; but since he gave it them for their benefit, and the greatest conveniences of life they were capable to draw from it, it cannot be supposed he meant it should always remain common and uncultivated’. This statement lays the groundwork for his theory since he views the earth to be god given for human consumption. In practice however this theory contains flaws as not everybody can acquire private property. Furthermore the outcome of his theory, it can be argued endorses

Property for Locke does not just include land; it involves labour, money, and also material possessions. Examining his definition of property to some extent highlights the inegalatarian outcome of his theory as individuals cannot acquire all of these, as some may have more of one and others have less of the other. This criticism is further highlighted by Monk (1993:88) who found that ‘ ‘property’ in the seventeenth century was often used more widely to denote any rights of a fundamental kind, and fundamental rights were often claimed to be inalienable… The right and duty or ‘property’ of humanity requires, first and foremost, our survival. What we take and eat from nature in order to survive becomes our ‘property’ in a number of senses’. The inegalatarian outcome of his theory becomes even more prevalent as the survival of members depends on several factors, and not just necessarily