John Locke: Inequality Wealth Man
John Locke proposes that with the creation of private property (wealth) man is better off despite the inequality wealth creates. Prior to money or private property, man was just surviving on the earth worried about where to get food, shelter and water. However, with the creation of private property or wealth man is rewarded for his labor and has the means to obtain more readily those things he needs to live without waste so as not to offend the equality of man within nature. I agree with Locke that despite the inequality of wealth man is better off than before because we no longer need to focus on survival. I support John Locke’s argument, “that wealth creates inequality that leads to a bettering oneself as a result because we as a society
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become increasingly removed from our survival instincts and move towards a state of greater civility and prosperity.
John Locke’s theory of private property is closely related to his theory of the state of nature. Locke states that the state of nature becomes private property with the addition of a person’s labor. John Locke is a strong believer that the whole Earth, and all of its private property was given to man by God. God also gave mankind the power to use the land for his own survival and to improve it with his mind and labor. He believes that all humans are created equal and they themselves are owners of their private property that was established. As the issues of equality, money, and labor theory of value it also becomes evident that Locke’s position on property relates to economic inequality. John Locke’s position on private property is precise because he casts its significance, and notes the adjustments of both positive and negative that it created in society. His concept of private property relates to the society we live in and it explains the inequality existing in our country today. Labor and money go hand in hand when talking about private property because it impacts our society in a most fundamental manner. There are different groups that formed and various approaches toward wealth, each of which builds on the accumulated wealth of individuals and creates inequities between them.
John Locke’s initial condition of private property is that he believes that God gave mankind the Earth. He believes that God gave the man’s world, including reason, and the state of nature equals the state of equality, “God who hath given the world to men in common, hath also given them reason to make use of it to the best advantage of life and Convenience” shown in the text of Second Treatise of Government by John Locke (citation) (pg. 719 p. 26) (John Locke, Second Treatise of Government ,https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/politics/locke/ch05.htm) Locke also believes that because God gave us the reason he gave us our internal human instincts and desire for self-preservation, which comes from private property: “once born, have a right to preservation, and consequently to meat and drink and such other things as nature affords for their substance.” (pg. 718 p. 25) (citation) Locke’s meaning is that we all start equal with the right to have from nature those things we need to survive (water, food, shelter, warmth). This right then morphs into private property as we toil to obtain self-preservation. It is the toiling that links Locke’s two theories. The toiling changes the state of nature into private property. There is a distinct connection to Locke’s theory of private property and how he links it to human nature. He makes them essentially dependent upon one another, stating that human nature, which is self-preservation cannot be achieved without private property. At this point in his statements about the conditions of private property, he is converting strong socialist views, as he thinks man governs self. He also believes that the natural right includes no overawing power to get in the way of achieving property, therefore leaving no chance to disturb one's human nature of self-preservation. Due to the growing popularity and province of individual property the issues of waste, and money become apparent. Before a common currency was introduced a barter system was being used to trade and make transactions, this was leading to a lot of waste. Locke introduced his law of private property, which was that every man should have as much as he can make use of. However, he was quick to say that he had no tolerance for anything that went to waste “...but if they perished in his possession, without due use...he offended against the common law of nature and was liable to be punished.” (citation) (pg. 722 p. 37) In the issues of waste and money, consent is once again mentioned, as Locke believes that money would be mutual consent that men would take in exchange for the truly useful. Money became “some lasting thing that men might keep without spoiling” (citation) (pg. 724 p.47). The advent of money began the ability for man to accumulate wealth without waste and therefore inequality among men became more evident than during the barter system. All of these changes and ideologies that Locke presents in his Second Treatise of Government create inequality in economic sects of life. Locke’s position on property greatly influences political equality because it deals with his labor theories and the effects of the changing feudal systems, slavery and the state of war.His position on private property also influences economic equality because it talks of the changing world dealing with money and waste. These ideologies that Locke theorizes about relate more to our world today and the inequality that we face today. In America today we readily see the apparent inequality of wealth between people. However, this wealth is being infringed upon by the current entitlement, hedonist, and individualistic attitudes of many. Locke purports we can accumulate private property based on a value based item agreed upon such as gold. He also states private property is defined as the reward of your labor. The redistribution of wealth through government mandated programs funded by another Individual’s toil undermines Locke’s value proposition.
In the article ELABORATING FAITH: Labor and interfaith and Resistance to Economic Inequality by Melissa C. Snarr supports the view of Locke with the statement, “The authors argue that this dramatic rise in wealth inequality is tied to the increase of income inequality, which itself contributed to greater rates of mortgage and credit card indebtedness and decreased savings rates.” (citation) She uses the example with the loss of the Great Recession, there was a negative economic impact. Stating though there was a recession there was still an economic growth through people’s wages. She talks about inequality in various forms from education. The inequality continues to expand today not only in wealth. We see how the wealth inequality contributes to inequality in education, statue, political power, continued wealth generation, and race inequality. Locke’s basic premise still exists that we all can accumulate wealth with labor. However, the inequalities are now building additional hurdles to our ability to accumulate wealth. These inequities are causing a downward pressure on those with less increasing the wealth gap. The authors support Locke showing how wealth creation continues but the downward pressures of the current economic attitudes have reduced the value of our labor.
Another article that supports Locke’s statement that wealth in creates inequality that leads to bettering oneself as a result is Wealth and Income Inequality an Economic and Ethical Analysis by Brian P. Simpson. He performed an economic analysis on wealth and inequality income that reveals findings the connection with the distribution and income that leads to economic progress. He shows that in his study that economic inequality is both economically and morally desirable. “The important economic effect of income inequality pertains to the ability and incentive to produce. Redistributing income to reduce income inequality decreases the ability and incentive to produce goods that people want to purchase. Stated positively, to the extent that incomes are earned in the marketplace by individuals producing goods that others want to purchase, income inequality provides a greater ability and incentive to produce wealth.” (citation) He shows that economic inequality leads to greater distribution of income. Simpson analysis supports both Locke and Snarr by showing that individuals need a motivation to labor for wealth accumulation. If we are given our life needs then we lose the incentive to toil that Locke requires in his position. John Locke’s theory benefits the people who are hardworking and put the effort in. People who work hard will get the results and vice versa. I believe that John Locke’s theories are more closely related to Rolls than to Nocick. Rolls is a type of philosopher where his theories are more based on equality, whereas Nocick does not care about equality. Nocick believes more in freedom and in rights. Locke lies in the middle of the spectrum where he believes there is some equality. He is closer on the spectrum to Rolls because Rolls has a strong stance when talking about equality. John Locke goes by that theory of private property closely relates to his theory of the state of nature is dependent upon private property with labor.
Locke also believes that because God gave us the reason he gave us our internal human instincts and desire for self-preservation, which comes from private property. He goes by the belief that God gave mankind the world with private property and mixing labor that make people better off as a result. By everyone working together, it supports economic inequality (does this sentence sound okay? Should I add something, I like how in the beginning you related it to the food water and shelter). Money can be seen as incentivizes the production of more. This can increase the amount of resources and production we have. Locke is correct when he states that everyone is better off when there is an economic inequality because it creates a state where people must realize that effort and accountability result in a positive atmosphere for betterment. We no longer need to toil daily to achieve self-preservation. It has become a communal effort to provide the basic needs of life. By the cohesion of everyone doing what is needed there will be a economic progress for the individual. This is shown in present time today because even with the social classes everyone still benefits. I have confidence in Locke’s theory because it is shown in todays in civilized society that the focus is no longer on self-preservation. We are focused on creativity and wealth. Locke has moved us from hunters and gatherers, a state of nature for self-preservation, to a place of communal growth with private property, wealth accumulation, possible through labor and
specialization.
become increasingly removed from our survival instincts and move towards a state of greater civility and prosperity.
John Locke’s theory of private property is closely related to his theory of the state of nature. Locke states that the state of nature becomes private property with the addition of a person’s labor. John Locke is a strong believer that the whole Earth, and all of its private property was given to man by God. God also gave mankind the power to use the land for his own survival and to improve it with his mind and labor. He believes that all humans are created equal and they themselves are owners of their private property that was established. As the issues of equality, money, and labor theory of value it also becomes evident that Locke’s position on property relates to economic inequality. John Locke’s position on private property is precise because he casts its significance, and notes the adjustments of both positive and negative that it created in society. His concept of private property relates to the society we live in and it explains the inequality existing in our country today. Labor and money go hand in hand when talking about private property because it impacts our society in a most fundamental manner. There are different groups that formed and various approaches toward wealth, each of which builds on the accumulated wealth of individuals and creates inequities between them.
John Locke’s initial condition of private property is that he believes that God gave mankind the Earth. He believes that God gave the man’s world, including reason, and the state of nature equals the state of equality, “God who hath given the world to men in common, hath also given them reason to make use of it to the best advantage of life and Convenience” shown in the text of Second Treatise of Government by John Locke (citation) (pg. 719 p. 26) (John Locke, Second Treatise of Government ,https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/politics/locke/ch05.htm) Locke also believes that because God gave us the reason he gave us our internal human instincts and desire for self-preservation, which comes from private property: “once born, have a right to preservation, and consequently to meat and drink and such other things as nature affords for their substance.” (pg. 718 p. 25) (citation) Locke’s meaning is that we all start equal with the right to have from nature those things we need to survive (water, food, shelter, warmth). This right then morphs into private property as we toil to obtain self-preservation. It is the toiling that links Locke’s two theories. The toiling changes the state of nature into private property. There is a distinct connection to Locke’s theory of private property and how he links it to human nature. He makes them essentially dependent upon one another, stating that human nature, which is self-preservation cannot be achieved without private property. At this point in his statements about the conditions of private property, he is converting strong socialist views, as he thinks man governs self. He also believes that the natural right includes no overawing power to get in the way of achieving property, therefore leaving no chance to disturb one's human nature of self-preservation. Due to the growing popularity and province of individual property the issues of waste, and money become apparent. Before a common currency was introduced a barter system was being used to trade and make transactions, this was leading to a lot of waste. Locke introduced his law of private property, which was that every man should have as much as he can make use of. However, he was quick to say that he had no tolerance for anything that went to waste “...but if they perished in his possession, without due use...he offended against the common law of nature and was liable to be punished.” (citation) (pg. 722 p. 37) In the issues of waste and money, consent is once again mentioned, as Locke believes that money would be mutual consent that men would take in exchange for the truly useful. Money became “some lasting thing that men might keep without spoiling” (citation) (pg. 724 p.47). The advent of money began the ability for man to accumulate wealth without waste and therefore inequality among men became more evident than during the barter system. All of these changes and ideologies that Locke presents in his Second Treatise of Government create inequality in economic sects of life. Locke’s position on property greatly influences political equality because it deals with his labor theories and the effects of the changing feudal systems, slavery and the state of war.His position on private property also influences economic equality because it talks of the changing world dealing with money and waste. These ideologies that Locke theorizes about relate more to our world today and the inequality that we face today. In America today we readily see the apparent inequality of wealth between people. However, this wealth is being infringed upon by the current entitlement, hedonist, and individualistic attitudes of many. Locke purports we can accumulate private property based on a value based item agreed upon such as gold. He also states private property is defined as the reward of your labor. The redistribution of wealth through government mandated programs funded by another Individual’s toil undermines Locke’s value proposition.
In the article ELABORATING FAITH: Labor and interfaith and Resistance to Economic Inequality by Melissa C. Snarr supports the view of Locke with the statement, “The authors argue that this dramatic rise in wealth inequality is tied to the increase of income inequality, which itself contributed to greater rates of mortgage and credit card indebtedness and decreased savings rates.” (citation) She uses the example with the loss of the Great Recession, there was a negative economic impact. Stating though there was a recession there was still an economic growth through people’s wages. She talks about inequality in various forms from education. The inequality continues to expand today not only in wealth. We see how the wealth inequality contributes to inequality in education, statue, political power, continued wealth generation, and race inequality. Locke’s basic premise still exists that we all can accumulate wealth with labor. However, the inequalities are now building additional hurdles to our ability to accumulate wealth. These inequities are causing a downward pressure on those with less increasing the wealth gap. The authors support Locke showing how wealth creation continues but the downward pressures of the current economic attitudes have reduced the value of our labor.
Another article that supports Locke’s statement that wealth in creates inequality that leads to bettering oneself as a result is Wealth and Income Inequality an Economic and Ethical Analysis by Brian P. Simpson. He performed an economic analysis on wealth and inequality income that reveals findings the connection with the distribution and income that leads to economic progress. He shows that in his study that economic inequality is both economically and morally desirable. “The important economic effect of income inequality pertains to the ability and incentive to produce. Redistributing income to reduce income inequality decreases the ability and incentive to produce goods that people want to purchase. Stated positively, to the extent that incomes are earned in the marketplace by individuals producing goods that others want to purchase, income inequality provides a greater ability and incentive to produce wealth.” (citation) He shows that economic inequality leads to greater distribution of income. Simpson analysis supports both Locke and Snarr by showing that individuals need a motivation to labor for wealth accumulation. If we are given our life needs then we lose the incentive to toil that Locke requires in his position. John Locke’s theory benefits the people who are hardworking and put the effort in. People who work hard will get the results and vice versa. I believe that John Locke’s theories are more closely related to Rolls than to Nocick. Rolls is a type of philosopher where his theories are more based on equality, whereas Nocick does not care about equality. Nocick believes more in freedom and in rights. Locke lies in the middle of the spectrum where he believes there is some equality. He is closer on the spectrum to Rolls because Rolls has a strong stance when talking about equality. John Locke goes by that theory of private property closely relates to his theory of the state of nature is dependent upon private property with labor.
Locke also believes that because God gave us the reason he gave us our internal human instincts and desire for self-preservation, which comes from private property. He goes by the belief that God gave mankind the world with private property and mixing labor that make people better off as a result. By everyone working together, it supports economic inequality (does this sentence sound okay? Should I add something, I like how in the beginning you related it to the food water and shelter). Money can be seen as incentivizes the production of more. This can increase the amount of resources and production we have. Locke is correct when he states that everyone is better off when there is an economic inequality because it creates a state where people must realize that effort and accountability result in a positive atmosphere for betterment. We no longer need to toil daily to achieve self-preservation. It has become a communal effort to provide the basic needs of life. By the cohesion of everyone doing what is needed there will be a economic progress for the individual. This is shown in present time today because even with the social classes everyone still benefits. I have confidence in Locke’s theory because it is shown in todays in civilized society that the focus is no longer on self-preservation. We are focused on creativity and wealth. Locke has moved us from hunters and gatherers, a state of nature for self-preservation, to a place of communal growth with private property, wealth accumulation, possible through labor and
specialization.