Locke_vs_Jefferson

Locke vs Jefferson Locke vs. Jefferson John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government and Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence are two of the most influential writings of all time. Many countries over the centuries have used these writings as the basis for their proclamation of independence. These authors laid the foundation for the idea of the State of Nature which is the founding base of our government. The Second Treatise of Government and the Declaration of Independence are very similar in their writings, which proves Locke’s work had an impact on Jefferson. Surprisingly as it is, Jefferson has been accused over the centuries for plagiarizing John Locke. The biggest similarity between both writings is that they are strongly focused on the belief that all men are created equal and have the right to happiness. Locke explains that humans have natural rights of life, liberty, and property. Jefferson restates this claim as unalienable Rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Both works state that no one person is above or superior to another person. The natural law of man is not under the authority of man but ruled by the Laws of Nature. Also they state that government, jefferson, locke, nature, declaration, state, both, writings, rights, one, laws, independence, people, works, under, treatise, should, second, principles, person, natural, john, idea, essay, because, wrote, work, way, right, new, needs, locke’s, law, happiness