Social Contract Theory of John Locke

Social Contract Theory of John Locke

Introduction

A social contract can be defined as a voluntary contract where a shared advantage occurs for and between government, groups, individuals or community as a whole. Locke synonymises the State of Nature with the natural condition of human, defines it as a complete or perfect freedom to carry out own life that is free from others' interferences and one best sees fits (Nyamaka, 2011). However, this does not reflect that it as a license state or does not mean that a person has the liberty to do anything at all one please, or something that one judges to be in interest of an individual. Although, the State of Nature refers to a state where there is no government or civil authority does not punish people for wrongdoings or if they act against law; however, is not a state without principles or ethics. The State of Nature can also define as pre-political but does not refer to pre-moral. In such state, people are considered to be equal, and thus, are equally bounded by the Law of Nature and capable of being discovered. The implications of the Law of Nature include limitations of property ownership in a state; for example, a person is not permitted to take more than he/she can use so that equality can be established within the state.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze John Locke's social contract theory and examines consistency of this social contract's values with today's private security setting and criminal justice system. Additionally, discusses the applicability of Locke's principles and values in private security and criminal justice venues. This paper also summarizes the key differences of the social contract theories; determines how these values are incorporated in the US Bill of Rights; identify implications of these values in today's private security and criminal justice systems settings; and in the end, define liberty or freedom as regards to ethical obligations, standards and personal rights.

Discussion

According to the social contract theory of Locke, a person should have individual rights and freedom where for all strong reasons equate to what is democracy in today's era. Locke believed in this notion of individual liberty, which can also define as liberalism. He showed a great respect for ethical judgment of man and believed that mankind is all “pleasant chaps.” Ideals of Locke referred to the capitalist state of mind, and exercised complete liberty as regards to meet monetary interest. He is also believed in systematic state where people must move from the state of affair in hands of every individual within that organized state. Moreover, he deemed in powers' separation and in check and balance system (Dagger, 2011).

How liberalize today's criminal justice system is? We are fortunate that we live in today's era where everyone has the right to exercise their personal thoughts. If we look at today's criminal justice system, people have speech liberty or freedom of expression, which helps them in making decisions based on what they ...