Compare And Contrast John Locke And French Revolution

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Recommended: The American and French Revolutions

Revolutions are an ideological and physical struggle for change and reform. Political ideologies play an essential role in inspiring the desire for change and act as catalyst for political action to create that change. New ideas, ways of thinking, and an emphasis on scientific knowledge were important in the early modern world. John Locke 's political ideas represent this new way of reasoning about society and the government. John Locke 's Second Treatise of Government shaped the modern world by influencing the American and French Revolutions and providing foundations for the development of American government and society. In the Second Treatise of Government, Locke states his ideas of natural rights and the role of government. Locke This is evident in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen which like the American Declaration announced that the purpose of government is the "preservation of the natural... rights" which are "liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression" (91). This reflects Locke 's ideas of equal and natural rights, which the French used to gain representation and equality for the Third Estate and end aristocratic rule in France (WT/WA 569). The French like the American colonists saw liberty as their natural right, which was violated by the rule of the King along with the privileges given to the First and Second Estate. Influenced by the American Revolution and Locke 's ideas, the French thought it was their duty to change this government. Locke 's political ideology catalyzed the American and French The colonists build a republican government in which the people elected government leaders ti represent them and work for their interests (WT/WA 568). This type of government reflects Locke 's idea of government made with the consent of the people, in which the people "choose and authorize a legislative" that makes laws to protect their interests (38). Also, Locke 's views of property influenced the social and economic development of American society. Locke argues that every individual has the natural right of property which is the result of his labour and cannot be taken away from him (36). This suggests an economic system in which an individual 's property and interest are important (Mancia 's class, 3/9/15). American society, influenced by this view of property, developed the system of capitalism, which is described in The Wealth of Nations as the "system of natural liberty" that allows "every man... to pursue his own interest" (Smith 139). This free market system that led to economic development in American was partially inspired by Locke. John Locke 's Second Treatise of Government influenced the early modern world by inspiring the American and French Revolutions and impacting American society. Perhaps the American Revolution would not have happened without the support of Locke 's political ideology. Locke 's views helped create the new modern age of liberty,

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