The Influence of John Locke on the United States Constitution
The most prominent political philosopher of the modern era, John Locke (1632-1704), saw the constitution as a convincing alternative to man's natural state. Locke's contribution to the United States Constitution is difficult to overlook. The United States Constitution is a type of social contract that protects its citizens' natural rights. Locke had a steady influence on the designers of the constitution through theories such as the social contract theory and works such as Treatise of Government (Cox, 2014). Locke's work led to the original drafting of the constitution and the declaration of independence, and he provides a framework for the origin and structure of an official, constitutionally elected government. In chapter II of the Second Treatise, Locke explains that a state ought to exercise equality whereby power and jurisdiction play a vital role. No one should harm another person by taking his/her life, liberty, or possessions. (US 1776)
The Protection of Natural Rights in the United States Constitution
The impression presented in this statement is vivid in the declaration of independence, which stated that all men have equal rights and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that include life, liberty, and the quest for happiness. The idea of responsibility of the state to ensure protection and preservation of these natural rights bloomed from Locke's words and henceforth implied throughout the constitution and declaration of independence. A social contract, such as the constitution, can only succeed when paired with a consent of the governed (Cox, 2014). More so, in chapter XII of the second treatise, Locke advocates for the separation of government powers. Locke identifies the authority to separate as legislative power, the executive power, and the federative power. The first three articles of the constitution of United States divide the federal government into three separate but co-equal branches of the government, which are non-conflicting.
Locke's Contributions to the Development of America
Locke's contribution has developed America in many ways affecting the political, social, and overall well-being of citizens. Macpherson & Cunningham (2011) explain that all people are innately free and equal against claims that God has made all people naturally to a monarch. People have rights, such as to life, liberty, and to own property, which have a foundation independent of the laws of any particular society. Locke's claim forms part of the legitimate political government of the United States. Since government comes to be because of consent of the people, it ought to protect the rights, liberty, and public good of its citizens. In his defense for the right of revolution, Locke inspired the separation of powers in the American government creating room for the three arms of the government.
Freedom of Worship and Expression in the United States Constitution
In addition, Locke denied the use of force and intimidation in religious groups, facilitating the development of free worship in the US. He argued that such groups should have no coercive power over the members in his letter of Toleration. The argument presented in this letter later brings freedom of worship to exist in the US Constitution and there should be no depriving churches of coercive powers. Although this letter focuses on the church and the state, it compels moral behavior. So when broadly applied, it creates a philosophical foundation for free speech and freedom of action that originates from free thoughts (Locke & Vernon, 2010). Freedom of expression and thought may have roots in this theory as it appears in the United States Constitution.
Political Liberty and Separation of Church and State in the United States Constitution
Political liberty in the modern-day United States dates back to Locke's argument about the separation of the state and the church. One needs not be coerced to worship or to believe in men. People should grasp the truth and embrace it since there is only one truth. The relationship amid the church and a state subsists between an individual's mind and realism, thus political leaders are in no higher authority to know the truth than any other men and consequently have no right to force their sentiments on others (Locke & Vernon). The prerequisite of thought, and as a consequence the truth, is political freedom.
References
Cox, R. H. (2014). Second Treatise of Government. Wiley.
Locke, J., & Vernon, R. (2010). Locke on toleration. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Macpherson, C. B., & Cunningham, F. (2011). The political theory of possessive individualism: Hobbes to Locke. Don Mills (Ont.: Oxford University Press.
