In the Second Treatise on Government (STOG), Locke discusses in great detail his idea of the scope and influence a government (i.e. an executive) should have over the governed. One of his primary positions is that the natural condition of humans, which is a state of liberty and freedom is ultimately exchanged in part for subjugation to the state because of what the state is capable of providing (i.e. public goods).

"People then exchange some of their natural rights to enter into society with other people, and be protected by common laws and a common executive power to enforce the laws."

Locke argues that the civil state is in many ways subject to the will of the people, it should serve the governed, and should only have power over the activity of people to the extent that it exists to protect and preserve the welfare of the governed. In Locke's view, because the government has no sovereignty of its own and it only exists to serve the interests of the people, people then possess a right to dissolve the government, if that government ceases to work solely in their best interest. (See Thomas Jefferson's letter to Williams Stephens Smith)

Questions

1. Examining the events at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, do you believe the actions of the rioters, protestors, insurrectionists, etc. fall in line with the right that Locke describes in the STOG?
2. Locke speaks about this principle almost as though there is an objective view of how we could define a government failing to work for the best interest of the people. The Capitol riots clearly revealed that there are those who believe the government has failed its people. Given your understanding of Locke's position do you believe he would agree with the actions on January 6? Explain and support your position with commentary and quotes from lecture and reading.