The Genealogy of Liberalism: An Economic Reading of Locke's Second Treatise of Government

30 Pages Posted: 3 Dec 2003

See all articles by Maurico Perez Salazar

Maurico Perez Salazar

Universidad Externado de Colombia - Department of Economics

Abstract

This paper presents an interpretation of John Locke's theory of political society. After reviewing the differences between Locke's and Hobbes' ideas of individual, government and the importance of a rational discussion about the construction of political society, the article shows the role of individual freedom and consent as basis for explaining the situation of men in political society. The analysis of Locke's social contract shows how the creation of government is the outcome of the search for economic efficiency, because it permits the reduction of transaction costs or what Locke calls "the inconveniences of the state of nature".

Note: Downloadable document is in Spanish

Keywords: John Locke, political society, individual freedom, consent, civil government, liberalism

JEL Classification: B19, H89

Suggested Citation

Perez Salazar, Maurico, The Genealogy of Liberalism: An Economic Reading of Locke's Second Treatise of Government . Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=445941 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.445941

Maurico Perez Salazar (Contact Author)

Universidad Externado de Colombia - Department of Economics ( email )

Bogota D.C
Colombia

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