The IInd Treatise of Government penned by John Locke in 1690, is a living document relevant to the words and deeds of the modern nation states even after over three centuries of its coming into existence. The fundamental standpoint presented by Locke is that a parliamentary progression that protects an individual’s life, property, and liberty, is essential for the peaceful functioning of a society. A few policies and practices that reflect this argument in today’s age, follows.
Evidentiary through the IInd Treatise of Government, Locke believes that “a child is born clean-slate, and there is no inherent character or preconceived notions (Tabula Rasa). However, then, the child gets in touch with her/his fellow human beings around and gain exposure to the other evil.” It is estimated that some 250,000 children, boys and girls under the age of 18, are today involved in more than 30 conflicts worldwide. Thousands of children have been recruited in the Central African region (Chad, Central African Republic and Sudan).
The terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed have been recruiting child soldiers from a very young age, brainwashing and moulding them into militants. The same pattern of child soldiers has been in the likes of the pseudo-revolutions and militant movements such as the decade-long civil conflict in Sierra Leona which took place at the end of 20th century and the wee years of the 21st century, and the proxy wars fought in Somalia, Sri Lanka, Democratic Republic of Congo, to name a few. These countries have domestic and international support in nurturing generations of militants, out of clean-slate kids.
These are living examples of Locke’s penned argument that a certain kind of conditioning would make the children corrupt, parallel to the eradication of the basic good-born innate nature of a human being. Jammu and Kashmir have been adversely a prey to the same. The “cubs of caliphate” are growing up, and the world is clueless about what to do with ISIS’ child soldiers! (Sanliurfa 2017). A German ISIS recruit’s words were, “Let slave child die of thirst in Iraq”.
Locke further provides for separation of powers among the State. The United States Declaration of Independence adopted in 1776, followed by the equitable federal tenets enshrined in the Honorable Constitution of The Republic of India derive their inspiration from Locke’s documents. The Legislature, Executive and Judiciary as the three pillars of Indian democracy are today the greatest endorsements of Locke’s ideas on decentralization of power among the state authorities.
The Father of Indian Constitution Dr Ambedkar attained degrees from London, and England happened to be Locke’s hometown. It is not a matter of surprise for Locke’s ideas impressing Ambedkar, which further reflects in the basic doctrine of the Indian Constitution. India with all its complexities in pre-modernity as a civilization and as a modern nation-state now has shaped ideals of democracy in most profound sense defying established notions. Indeed Locke remains alive through modern day India.
Predictability is most important and indeed imperative. An individual ought not to be in a fear that neither someone will kill her or him, nor shall anybody snatch his or her land from an individual. The Constitution of India protects these rights of an individual from any unlawful seizure of liberty and property – either from the state or otherwise. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution proclaims India to be a sovereign democratic republic ensuring the socio-economic and political justice for all its citizens.
Locke’s viewpoint through the IInd Treatise of Government, that no one shall have fear of being attacked – a person and property, as the primary goal of the law is to protect its people from any kind of harm – to one’s physical body and materialistic property. The Honorable Indian Constitution protects its citizens’ liberty of thought, expression, belief, worship, and faith along with promoting fraternity assuring dignity of the individual.
These ideas can be directly traced to Locke’s work that facilitates the legal entity as the Supreme commander of an individual’s sovereignty over himself or herself. India’s policy of “not being the war-initiator” endorses Locke’s emphasis on avoiding conflicts. Except for a little foolish American step of nuclear bombing Japan, despite the fact that Japan would have surrendered even otherwise, no modern nation state have used their nuclear weapons during warfare except playing that fear card.
An Abundance theorist, Locke’s words are the deeds of modern nation states today through their governance, policies, and power politics. The armed forces of any country operate with a mutual premise to protect their country and its people from any external threats. These armed forces are loyal to their countries and do not operate with anarchy towards their governments, but rather nearly in these respective governments’ full-control, in most of the nations with professional armies. Hence, Locke’s ideas have provided the foundation stones with governance patterns and operating strategies for governments across the globe.
The Author is an Alumni of Ahmedabad University. He can be reached at rajshah00110@gmail.com
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