The Logical Construction Of Locke's Theory Of Social Contract

The Social Contract theory has been a very influential theory in the West and even across the whole world in constructing a state since the 16th century. In Europe, especially in Britain, it generated a number of thinkers who attacked the old system and called for a new one. Hobbes's "Leviathan", Locke's "Theory", Rousseau's "On the Origin of human inequality" and "Social Contract" all constituted the historical picture. It is these masters who laid the vision of modern political philosophy. Locke's idea is like a spectacular milestone in the watershed. His stresses on freedom of individuals, protection of individual rights, vigilance of government power and construction of the constitutional system of government in the west are of far-reaching implications. In The Social Contract Locke not only inherited his predecessors'ideas but reflected on the era in which he lived, coming out with a unique and profound political ideology. His thinking affected, directly and indirectly, Rousseau, Kant and other modern political philosophers in terms of their idea of social contract. It also promoted the shaping of modern political philosophy. This article, however, focuses on the logical structure of Locke's Social ContractMy thesis is generally as follows:In part I, I examine the historical and cultural background of Locke's theory of social contract and put this part as the logic premise for the social contract because every real philosophy is the essence of the spirit of that times, a mirror of a particular social theme. Analyzing the social, cultural and historical background of the times would help us to accurately grasp of the spiritual essence in Locke's social contract.The second part explores the logical starting point of Locke's social contract in accordance with the development of the logic of Locke's idea. It starts with the natural state to the natural law, and then from the natural law to the logic of natural rights. In the natural state, there are some rules which are the natural law, in a where people enjoy the natural rights under the guidance of the natural law. The natural law, the natural state and natural rights connects closely. The natural law derived from natural state is ubiquitous, and the natural law allows natural rights to people the natural state.The third part highlights the rights of individuals as the foundation of Locke's social contract theory. The rights of individuals overweight the state priority and state power is derived from the rights transferring by individuals, power is based on rights and therefore under rights.Part IV discusses the logical destination of Locke's Social Contract-- the constitutional construction. This part focuses on the limited government, the rule of law, separation of powers in analyzing Locke's constitutional thinking. The establishment of constitutional rights and the protection of rights finally blend wit the highlight that the Locke's thinking is narrated in discourse of rights.