Second Treatise of Government

by

John Locke

Second Treatise of Government: Chapter 15: Of Paternal, Political, and Despotical Power, considered together Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Although Locke speaks of power earlier, he revisits the issue due to “the great mistakes of late about government” that arises from confusing the separate and distinct powers. Paternal power is nothing more than the power of parents over children, to nourish and support them until an age of reason is reached. This power is not intended to serve as a form of government, Locke says, and it does not extend over the life and death of children. Paternal power also does not extend to the child’s property.
Locke again points to absolute monarchies and the divine right of kings, which was an issue that had much support in Locke’s day. Locke considers such support one of “the great mistakes of late about government,” so he specifically stops to reaffirm his point that paternal power—the power invoked in absolute monarchies—is not political power.
Themes
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
Literary Devices
Political power, Locke says, is power given freely to a common-wealth after one leaves a state of nature, which enables the common-wealth to preserve the life and property of its subjects and punish transgressors. Political power involves only the power one has in a state of nature. Despotical power is the absolute and arbitrary power over another to end their life. This power is not given by the law of nature, as no one in nature can have arbitrary power over another; thus, it is effectively a forfeiture of life when the aggressor puts themselves in a state of war with another. Despotical power does not arise from any sort of agreement or contract, so it can be nothing else than a state of war, Locke argues.
Locke again implies here that subjects of absolute monarchies have the right to resist the absolute and arbitrary rule of the king. Supporters of absolute monarchy like Filmer argue the paternal power of absolute monarchies is a natural and innate power, which Locke disputes here. According to Locke, no one in nature could ever have such a claim to power. Thus, the power of the absolute monarchy does not come from nature and puts the subject in a state of war with the king.
Themes
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
Paternal power is given by way of nature, and political power through voluntary consent and agreement, Locke says. Despotical power arises from forfeiture, such as in a lord who strips a subject of land. In this way, it is easy to see that paternal power falls short of political power, and despotical power far exceeds it. Thus, neither parental power nor despotical power can be any part of civil society, Locke argues, outside the bonds of parent and child, of course.
Even if the power of the absolute monarchy were naturally paternal, it still wouldn’t give the monarch the level of power it presumes to take. In this way, Locke implies here that an absolute monarchy is in fact derived from despotical power and the complete forfeiture of reason and life, which immediately dissolves any government or society.
Themes
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
The Dissolution of Government Theme Icon