If We Lose John Locke, We Lose America | 5 Minute Video

Summary

In this Prager University video, Ben Shapiro discusses the influence of 17th-century philosopher John Locke on the American founding, particularly on Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Locke's ideas of natural equality, inherent rights, and the purpose of government to protect these rights resonated with the American revolutionaries. Shapiro argues that contemporary challenges to Locke's principles threaten the very foundation of American democracy and calls for a re-embracement of these foundational ideas.

Takeaways

• 📜 Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence was inspired by John Locke's political philosophy.
• ✍️ Jefferson's writing skills are widely admired, but Locke's influence on his ideas is less appreciated today.
• 📚 John Locke, a 17th-century English thinker, argued for the rights of individuals against monarchy.
• 🗽 Locke's key ideas: All men are created equal, rights exist independently of government, and government exists to protect those rights.
• 👑 Locke believed that no person, including kings, was superior to others in terms of fundamental rights.
• ⚖️ Locke argued that freedom is a natural state of humanity, existing before the formation of governments.
• 🏛️ Government's primary purpose, according to Locke, is to protect individuals' freedom and property.
• 🚫 Locke asserted that when a government abuses its power or fails to protect rights, it loses its legitimacy.
• ⚡ Jefferson adapted Locke’s arguments from the Glorious Revolution to justify the American Revolution.
• 🔍 The script argues that modern America has strayed from Locke's vision, with some people favoring government control over individual freedoms.

Q & A

Who are the key figures mentioned in the script that contributed to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence?

The key figures mentioned are John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, who were involved in reading and shaping the draft of the Declaration of Independence.

What is the significance of John Locke's work in the context of the Declaration of Independence?

John Locke's work, particularly his 'Two Treatises of Government,' provided philosophical underpinnings and inspiration for the Declaration of Independence, influencing its ideas about natural rights and the purpose of government.

What was the political climate in England during the time when John Locke wrote 'Two Treatises of Government'?

The political climate in England was turbulent, having just experienced the 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688, which saw the overthrow of Catholic King James II and the establishment of Protestant King William of Orange.

What was the main purpose of the 'Glorious Revolution' according to John Locke?

The main purpose of the 'Glorious Revolution' was to shift power from the monarch to the people and their elected representatives, ensuring that the laws and liberties belonged to the citizens.

What is the meaning behind the phrase 'No taxation without representation' as mentioned in the script?

The phrase 'No taxation without representation' reflects the American colonists' discontent with being taxed by the English crown and parliament without having a say in the laws being imposed on them.

According to John Locke, what are the three fundamental arguments that support the idea of government?

Locke's three fundamental arguments are: 1) All men are created equal, 2) Certain basic rights exist independent of government, and 3) Government exists to protect those rights.

How does John Locke define the natural state of man?

John Locke defines the natural state of man as being free from any superior power on earth, meaning that freedom is a natural right that pre-exists the formation of government.

What role does property play in John Locke's philosophy regarding government?

In Locke's philosophy, government is also tasked with protecting individuals' property, which includes land and material goods lawfully acquired by individuals, alongside their personal freedoms.

What is the contemporary challenge to John Locke's ideas as presented in the script?

The contemporary challenge to John Locke's ideas includes beliefs that humans are not created equal, that rights are granted by government, and that government should have almost unlimited power, which contrasts with Locke's principles of limited government and individual rights.

Why is it important to reintroduce John Locke's ideas according to the script?

Reintroducing John Locke's ideas is important because they are fundamental to understanding America's history and character, and losing these ideas could lead to losing the essence of what America stands for.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Influence of John Locke on the American Revolution

John Adams and Benjamin Franklin recognized the influence of John Locke's political philosophy on Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence. Locke, a 17th-century English thinker, advocated for the transfer of power from the monarch to the people and their representatives, which resonated with the American colonists' discontent over 'taxation without representation.' His ideas were foundational to the American Revolution, as they supported the notion that government should serve to protect individual rights and freedoms, not to dominate them.

Keywords

💡John Locke

John Locke was an influential 17th-century English philosopher whose ideas on natural rights and the social contract had a profound impact on the founding principles of the United States. In the video, Locke's philosophy is highlighted as the intellectual foundation for the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing the concepts of equality, natural rights, and the purpose of government. His work, 'Two Treatises of Government,' is mentioned as a direct inspiration for Thomas Jefferson.

💡Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is a foundational document of the United States, adopted on July 4, 1776, which declared the thirteen American colonies at war with Great Britain to be independent sovereign states. The video discusses how Thomas Jefferson, its principal author, was influenced by John Locke's philosophy, particularly in articulating the principles of equality and the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

💡Natural Rights

Natural rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of nationality, place of residence, religion, or any other condition. They are considered universal and inalienable. In the video, Locke's belief that certain basic rights exist independent of government is emphasized, and these rights are said to be the basis for the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.

💡Social Contract

The social contract is a political philosophy that posits that individuals agree to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of a ruler or government, in exchange for protection and the maintenance of social order. The video references Locke's social contract theory, suggesting that government's legitimacy comes from its ability to protect the natural rights of its citizens, and if it fails to do so, it loses its right to govern.

💡Glorious Revolution

The Glorious Revolution refers to the events of 1688 in England, where the Catholic King James II was overthrown and replaced by the Protestant William of Orange. The video mentions this historical event to illustrate the political climate that influenced Locke's thinking, particularly regarding the balance of power between the monarchy and the people.

💡Two Treatises of Government

Two Treatises of Government is a work by John Locke published in 1690, which argues for individual consent in government and the separation of powers. The video script uses this work as a reference point to explain Locke's influence on American political thought, especially in shaping the ideas that underpin the Declaration of Independence.

💡No taxation without representation

This phrase encapsulates a primary grievance of the American colonists against British rule, as they were being taxed without having a say in the British Parliament. The video uses this slogan to illustrate the discontent that led to the American Revolution and how it aligns with Locke's philosophy of government being accountable to the people.

💡Equality

Equality, as discussed in the video, is the concept that all individuals are created with equal rights and dignity. It is a central theme in Locke's philosophy and is reflected in the Declaration of Independence. The video emphasizes that this idea was radical at the time and is a fundamental principle that differentiates the American democratic experiment from other forms of governance.

💡Property Rights

Property rights refer to the rights of individuals to own and control their property, which includes land and material goods. In the video, Locke's view is presented that government exists to protect these rights, and if it fails to do so, it loses its legitimacy. This concept is integral to understanding the philosophy behind limited government and individual liberty.

💡Ben Shapiro

Ben Shapiro is an American conservative political commentator and the narrator of the video. He is mentioned in the context of reintroducing John Locke's ideas to the American public, suggesting that these foundational principles are being forgotten or challenged in contemporary society.

💡Prager University

Prager University is an online platform that offers videos on various topics, often with a conservative perspective. The video script is presented as part of their series, aiming to educate viewers on historical and philosophical concepts that have shaped Western civilization, such as John Locke's influence on American political thought.

Highlights

John Adams and Benjamin Franklin recognized Jefferson's prose and the influence of John Locke on the Declaration of Independence.

John Locke's political philosophy was a significant influence on Thomas Jefferson.

Locke was born in 1632 and became famous for his political theories rather than his medical studies.

Locke authored 'Two Treatises of Government' in 1690, reflecting on the Glorious Revolution.

The Glorious Revolution aimed to shift power from the monarch to the people.

Locke believed that the laws and liberties belonged to the citizens, not the monarch.

The American colonists felt they had no say in laws imposed by England, leading to the 'No taxation without representation' sentiment.

Jefferson used Locke's arguments to justify the American Revolution, mirroring the English one.

Locke posited that all men are created equal, a radical notion in 1690.

Locke argued that basic rights exist independent of government, as freedom pre-exists government.

Government's role, according to Locke, is to protect individual freedom and property rights.

If government fails to protect rights or abuses power, it loses its legitimacy.

Locke's philosophy can be summarized as 'Don't tread on me', reflecting American values.

Some Americans today reject Locke's ideas, believing in unequal treatment based on group identity.

There is a belief among some that government should have almost unlimited power, contrary to Locke's philosophy.

Reintroducing Locke's ideas is necessary to preserve the fundamental elements of American history and character.

Losing Locke's ideas could mean losing America, according to Ben Shapiro.

Transcripts

When John Adams and Benjamin Franklin read Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration

of Independence, they undoubtedly recognized two things: Jefferson’s peerless prose,

and the political wisdom of the 17th-century English thinker, John Locke.

We still admire Jefferson’s skill as a writer. But we have lost an appreciation for Jefferson’s

philosophical mentor.  John Locke was born in 1632 in a small village

in Somerset, England. He studied at Oxford to be a physician but achieved fame as a political

theorist.  In 1690, he authored one of the most famous

political tracts in history, Two Treatises of Government. England had just gone through

a period of great political turmoil, the so-called “Glorious Revolution” of 1688 in which

the Catholic king, James II, was overthrown and replaced by a Protestant one, William

of Orange.  The purpose of that revolution, which Locke

supported, was not merely to substitute one king for another, but to move power away from

the monarch and place it in the hands of the people and their elected representatives.

The “laws and liberties of this kingdom,” in Locke’s view, belonged to its citizens.

This was, of course, how the American rebels saw their relationship with England. The Americans

had no say in laws that the English crown and parliament were forcing on them. And—to

put it mildly—they didn’t like it. “No taxation without representation” was a classic

expression of their displeasure.   But how to frame the argument so that the

whole world would understand it? Jefferson looked to Locke for inspiration and guidance.

And using Locke helped in another way: How better, Jefferson calculated, to justify an

American revolution than to use the arguments that were once used to justify an English one?

So what were those arguments? Locke posited three.

First: All men are created equal. Second:

Certain basic rights exist independent of government. Third: Government exists to protect

those rights. Let’s take them in turn.

Number one: All men are created equal. Locke starts this argument at a very basic

level—namely, that human beings were created equal by God. We’re all part of the same

species. We’re all capable of doing human things. In that sense, we are equal—not

in qualities or outcome, but in rights. As John Locke wrote, “Creatures of the same

species...born to all the same advantages of nature, and the use of the same faculties,

should also be equal...without subordination or subjection.”

In this way, a king is in no way superior to a commoner such that he might violate the

commoner’s rights. The king is a human being. The commoner is a human being. Each can reason.

Therefore, one is equal to the other. We take this for granted now, but in 1690 it was a

radical notion.   Number two: Certain basic rights exist independent

of government. Locke believed that it was man’s natural

state to be free. Therefore, freedom pre-exists government. That is, freedom came first; government

came later. One hears this thinking expressed in Jefferson’s famous phrase, “We hold

these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed

by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”

Here’s how Locke put it: “The natural [state] of man is to be free from any superior

power on earth. And not to be under the will or legislative authority [of a government]…”

As rational human beings, Locke contended,

we have the liberty—whether king or commoner— to think and act as we wish so long as we

harm no one else.  Number three: Government exists to protect

those rights. For Locke, the purpose of government was to

protect the individual’s freedom and to protect the property (the land and material

goods) he lawfully acquired. The last thing Locke wanted was to give the government the

power to take away that liberty or undermine those property rights. If government couldn’t

provide those protections, or if it abused its power, it didn’t deserve to exist. “The

end of law,” he wrote, “is not to abolish or restrain [freedom], but to preserve and

enlarge freedom.”  Boiled down into a revolutionary slogan, we

might summarize Locke’s three-pronged philosophy this way: “Don’t tread on me.” Can’t

get much more American than that.  But today, Locke’s ideas are under full-fledged

assault. There are many Americans who believe that human beings are not created equal—that

we should treat people differently based on their group identity. There are many Americans

who believe that rights do not pre-exist government—that government is both our master and protector,

granting and withdrawing privileges as it sees fit. And there are many Americans who

believe that government should have almost unlimited power.

Everything that Locke rejected, these Americans rush to embrace. Their preference for paternalistic

government is not what Locke envisioned or what Jefferson described in the Declaration

of Independence.  We need to reintroduce John Locke and his

ideas to a nation that has become increasingly blind to fundamental elements of its own history

and character.  Because if we lose Locke, we lose America.

I’m Ben Shapiro for Prager University.