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John Locke

 

To Locke, any land that is enclosed but not used for the common good has been rendered useless, and we have a right to that land because it has not been made property by labour.
             Nevertheless, before the conventional use of money, no one would have either motive or right to produce more than they could use or exchange before it spoils. To take something from the common store and let it spoil is against natural law. Prior to the introduction of money, economic equality was imposed on mankind both by reason and the barter system. Men were largely confined to the satisfaction of their needs and conveniences. Most of the necessities of life are easily used up or spoiled -- fruit, meat, fish and so forth. Thus, to increase the total output of humanity and use specialization and labor to create things not necessarily needed for sustainance money is created to represent work. ". before the desire of having more than one needed had altered the intrinsic value of things, which depends only on their usefulness to the life of man; or had agreed, that a little piece of yellow metal, which would keep without wasting or decay, should be worth a great piece of flesh, or a whole heap of corn." (Morgan, 638) Significant gaps wealth becomes both possible and morally justified, on the assumption that none will suffer absolutely because any one person can sustain themselves through what nature has provided. However, this necessary inequality can give rise to imoral actions of greedy men who would take advantage of this. The implication is that the introduction of money, which causes inequality, which in turn causes quarrels and contentions and increased numbers of violations of the law of nature. This leads to the decision to create a civil government.
             When Locke speaks of Paternal Power locke is refering to the allegory of adam he refers to in the beginning of the Treatise. Paternal power is the power given to a parent to rule their children.


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