To understand political power correctly and derive it from its proper source, we must consider what state all men are naturally in. In this state men are perfectly free to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and themselves, in any way they like, without asking anyone’s permission—subject only to limits set by the law of nature. It is also a state of equality, in which no-one has more power and authority than anyone else; because it is simply obvious that creatures of the same species and status, all born to all the same advantages of nature and to the use of the same abilities, should also be equal in other ways, with no-one being subjected to or subordinate to anyone else, unless God, the lord and master of them all, were to declare clearly and explicitly his wish that some one person be raised above the others and given an undoubted right to dominion and sovereignty. 6. But though this is a state of liberty, it isn’t a state of licence in which there are no constraints on how people behave. A man in that state is absolutely free to dispose of himself or his possessions, but he isn’t at liberty to destroy himself, or even to destroy any created thing in his possession unless something nobler than its mere preservation is at stake. The state of nature is governed by a law that creates obligations for everyone. And reason, which is that law, teaches anyone who takes the trouble to consult it, that because we are all equal and independent, no-one ought to harm anyone else in his life, health, liberty, or possessions. This is because we are all the work of one omnipotent and infinitely wise maker; we are all the servants of one sovereign master, sent into the world by his order to do his business; we are all the property of him who made us, and he made us to last as long as he chooses, not as long as we choose; we have the same abilities, and share in one common nature, so there can’t be any rank-ordering that would authorize some of us to destroy others, as if we were made to be used by one another, as the lower kinds of creatures are made to be used by us. Chapter 18: Tyranny 199. Whereas usurpation is the exercise of power to which someone else has a right, tyranny is the exercise of power to which nobody can have a right. That is what happens when someone employs the power he has in his hands, not for the good of those who are under it

Question

To understand political power correctly and derive it from its proper source, we must consider what state all men are naturally in. In this state men are perfectly free to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and themselves, in any way they like, without asking anyone’s permission—subject only to limits set by the law of nature. It is also a state of equality, in which no-one has more power and authority than anyone else; because it is simply obvious that creatures of the same species and status, all born to all the same advantages of nature and to the use of the same abilities, should also be equal in other ways, with no-one being subjected to or subordinate to anyone else, unless God, the lord and master of them all, were to declare clearly and explicitly his wish that some one person be raised above the others and given an undoubted right to dominion and sovereignty. 6. But though this is a state of liberty, it isn’t a state of licence in which there are no constraints on how people behave. A man in that state is absolutely free to dispose of himself or his possessions, but he isn’t at liberty to destroy himself, or even to destroy any created thing in his possession unless something nobler than its mere preservation is at stake. The state of nature is governed by a law that creates obligations for everyone. And reason, which is that law, teaches anyone who takes the trouble to consult it, that because we are all equal and independent, no-one ought to harm anyone else in his life, health, liberty, or possessions. This is because we are all the work of one omnipotent and infinitely wise maker; we are all the servants of one sovereign master, sent into the world by his order to do his business; we are all the property of him who made us, and he made us to last as long as he chooses, not as long as we choose; we have the same abilities, and share in one common nature, so there can’t be any rank-ordering that would authorize some of us to destroy others, as if we were made to be used by one another, as the lower kinds of creatures are made to be used by us. Chapter 18: Tyranny 199. Whereas usurpation is the exercise of power to which someone else has a right, tyranny is the exercise of power to which nobody can have a right. That is what happens when someone employs the power he has in his hands, not for the good of those who are under it

30 35 40 but for his own private individual advantage. It is what happens when a governor, however entitled he is to govern, is guided not by the law but by his own wants, and his commands and actions are directed not to preserving his subjects’ properties but to satisfying his own ambition, revenge, covetousness, or any other irregular passion. 210. But if everyone can see in the government claims of one kind, and actions of another; skill employed to evade the law; prerogative employed contrary to the purpose for which it was given (namely to do good, not harm, to the people); the ministers and lower officers of the law chosen with an eye to such purposes, and promoted or dismissed according to whether they further or oppose them; various things done as try-outs of arbitrary power: surreptitious favour shown to the religion (though publicly denounced) which is readiest to introduce such power, and the operators in it supported as much as the government can get away with, and, when open support isn’t possible, still surreptitiously approved and liked; if a long train of actions show the governmental councils all tending that way, how can a man not be convinced to which way things are going and look around from some way to save himself? key concepts

Answer 1

1. Political power: The ability to influence and control the behavior of individuals and institutions within a society.

2. Natural state: The original state of humanity, in which individuals have complete freedom to act and dispose of their possessions as they please, within the limits set by natural law.

3. Equality: The idea that all individuals, as members of the same species, possess equal power, authority, and rights.

4. Law of nature: The governing principle that guides human behavior in the state of nature, promoting equality and prohibiting harm to others.

5. Liberty: The freedom to act and dispose of oneself and one's possessions, but not to the extent of self-destruction or harm to others.

6. Obligations: The moral responsibilities that individuals have towards each other in the state of nature, including the duty to not harm others in their life, health, liberty, or possessions.

7. Tyranny: The exercise of political power for personal gain or selfish purposes, disregarding the rights and well-being of those under authority.

8. Usurpation: The unjust acquisition or exercise of political power that rightfully belongs to someone else.

9. Government claims and actions: Discrepancies between the stated intentions and actual conduct of those in power, including evasion of the law, abuse of prerogative, and appointing officials to serve personal goals.

10. Arbitrary power: The exercise of authority without constraint, often motivated by personal ambition, revenge, or greed.

11. Surreptitious support: Secret or hidden backing of certain religious or political groups that promote arbitrary power, even if publicly denounced.

12. Awareness and self-preservation: The importance of recognizing signs of governmental abuse of power and taking action to safeguard oneself and one's interests.