Livia: Locke, On the Succession of Power
On the Succession of Power In the Second Treatise of Government , Locke made some controversial claims about the origin and succession of power. Locke opened Book II arguing that Adam’s relationship to God gave him no authority over his children and dominion over Earth. Further, he argued that Adam’s heirs, if determinable, also possessed no right to authority or dominion over Earth. These opening statements reveal Locke’s hesitancy regarding whether people can inherit and transfer authority. To Locke, one’s connection to God, no matter however powerful, does not elevate someone to a supreme status of authority. Additionally, a connection by blood does not entitle a person to control over others. If people cannot, at least originally (true sense of the word), inherit power from those before them, how then do they accumulate power? Most obviously, Locke answered this question through his comments on labor and property. Throughout his treatise, Locke insinuated that one measure...