Lawgrtt Essay, Research Paper

The Constitution of the United States and Madison’s Federalist Paper 51 draw upon the philosophy of John Locke, as expressed in his Second Treatise of Government. Madison and the framers of the Constitution looked to Locke’s ideas for justification and guidance. The Preamble of the Constitution reflects the intentions of its authors and shows the influence of Locke’s ideas. The authors speak of themselves as “We, the people of the United States…” Locke, when he relates his conception of a political society, states that “politic societies all began from a voluntary union, and the mutual agreement of men…” (Locke 62). The founders of the United States of America derive their authority from the people. Locke’s concept of popular sovereignty holds that the Madison’s conception of liberty requires that political power not be concentrated too much in the control of a single party of faction. This would jeopardize the liberty of individuals because all people would not enjoy equal protection of their rights. For this reason, Madison sees the federal system as an important safeguard to liberty. This is in keeping with Locke’s concept of equal natural rights. Madison and the framers of the Constitution drew upon Locke’s ideas. The concept of equal natural rights, found in Locke’s Second Treatise of Government is important to the Constitution of the United States and Madison’s Federalist Paper 51. The protection of these rights through proper self-government is necessary for liberty to exist.