When is a government dissolved?

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that a government is dissolved when the person holding the supreme executive power neglects and abandons their charge, so that the laws can no longer be executed. This is because the absence of law enforcement reduces society to anarchy and effectively ends the government. (key quote above) [1]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that a government is dissolved when the society it governs is dissolved, which can occur through foreign conquest or internal causes. He argues that the union of the community is what sustains the government, and when that union is broken, the government cannot remain. (key quote above) [2]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke argues that fatherly authority cannot be the only original basis of government, as it would be impossible for multiple individuals to claim such authority over the same people at the same time. This passage shows that Locke believes government must derive from something other than mere paternal authority, and that the idea of a single, divine source of sovereignty is inconsistent with the existence of multiple governments. "Strange! that fatherly authority should be the only original of government amongst men, and yet all mankind not know it; and stranger yet, that the confusion of tongues should reveal it to them all of a sudden, that in an instant these 72 should know that they had fatherly power, and all others know that they were to obey it in them, and every one know that particular fatherly authority to which he was a subject." [3]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that a government must be capable of alteration by parliament in church or state matters, and that swearing allegiance to an unchangeable government is unreasonable. He argues that all governments are subject to change over time due to variations in human affairs. "For what is the business of parliaments, but the alteration, either by adding, or taking away, some part of the government, either in church or state? And every new act of parliament is an alteration;" [4]
• BELIEF (undated): John Locke believed that a government is dissolved when the breach of the laws of the society is permitted without any animadversion, as this would immediately dissolve the society. This is based on his argument that these laws are the condition of communion and the bond of society. [5]

What cuts against it

• ACTION (undated): John Locke believed that a government is in a dangerous state when it is generally suspected by the people, and that this suspicion arises when the governors use illegal force against the people. This suggests that government dissolution is not the only remedy for such a situation, but rather a last resort. "This is an inconvenience, I confess, that attends all governments whatsoever, when the governors have brought it to this pass, to be generally suspected of their people; the most dangerous state which they can possibly put themselves in;" [6]

• ACTION (undated): John Locke believed that a government is dissolved when the breach of the laws of the society is permitted without any animadversion, as this would immediately dissolve the society. However, this could be seen as cutting against the idea that government dissolution is a result of external or internal causes, as it focuses on the internal failure to enforce laws. [5]

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. John Locke believed that a government is dissolved when the supreme executive power neglects and abandons its charge, leading to the inability to execute laws. This is because the absence of law enforcement reduces society to anarchy. [1]

2. He also believed that a government is dissolved when the legislative is broken or dissolved, as the legislative is the soul of the commonwealth. Without it, the people are no longer in subjection and may constitute a new legislative. [7]

3. Additionally, Locke argued that a government is dissolved when the society it governs is dissolved, which can occur through foreign conquest or internal causes. The union of the community is what sustains the government, and when that union is broken, the government cannot remain. [2]

4. Locke believed that a government is dissolved when the breach of the laws of the society is permitted without any animadversion, as this would immediately dissolve the society. This is based on his argument that these laws are the condition of communion and the bond of society. [5]

5. Lastly, Locke believed that a government is dissolved when the people are delivered into the subjection of a foreign power, either by the prince or by the legislative. This is because the purpose of people entering into society is to remain as one intact, free, independent society governed by its own laws, which is lost when they are given up into the power of another. [8]

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

John Locke addressed the question of when a government is dissolved directly in his writings. He outlined several conditions under which a government can be considered dissolved, including the neglect of the supreme executive power, the dissolution of the legislative, the dissolution of the society, the breach of laws without consequences, and the subjection of the people to a foreign power.

Extrapolation: John Locke believed that a government is dissolved under specific conditions such as the neglect of executive power, the dissolution of the legislative, the dissolution of the society, the breach of laws without consequences, and the subjection of the people to a foreign power. These conditions reflect his views on the nature of government and the rights of the people.

Competing readings: The record supports the reading that government dissolution is a result of specific conditions rather than a general state of dissatisfaction. It also supports the reading that government dissolution is a last resort when other remedies have failed.

Confidence: High, as the record directly addresses the question and provides clear conditions for government dissolution.