The State of Man

In this book, Locke is trying to identify what power is and how should it be used. He first identifies the "default" system for how a group of people would act with no actual form of government in place, calling this the State of Nature. This is where members of the community have perfect freedom, not much different from a beast. Because at this point the community in question is new, quite often cooperative behavior should be observed. In an ideal situation, it would remain at this state; families helping others through crisis and creating well being through integrated teamwork. However, Locke doesn't think this is what happens. Eventually we come to the weakness of human nature, where crime uproots the status quo. At this point being "truly free" is not really free at all, and continuing to stay in the State of Nature is detrimental. For the worst, a community enters a State of War, where chaos and violence ravage any and all. What is the better alternative? Creating a government that is to serve the community in the business of protecting individual rights. With proper enforcement of one’s personal rights, innocent members who continually maintain a normal mentality will be able to live with the freedom of choice, so long as no other person with rights is harmed in the process. So any proper government that provides protection of rights can help maintain order that prevents a State of War. Of course, this rights-enforcing government isn't pure like the State of Nature, but the State of Nature itself isn't stable. Over time, members who deviate from being mutuality will force any community into forming an organization to protect fair rights due to all, or for that community to plunge into chaos.