What importance do equality and inequality have in the political Essay

What importance do equality and inequality have in the political theories of any two of the political theorists - Locke and Rousseau - Essay Example ncepts of both the theorists Locke and Rousseau and try to have a better understanding of these important concepts and how to incorporate them into society to ensure a better standard of life. According to Locke, in order to understand political power in the right sense of the word, we should first of all attempt to understand man within a natural setting. In such a natural state or condition, man possesses total freedom or liberty to act as he thinks fit. In so doing, a sense of equality is achieved because in his natural setting, all belong to the same species and everyone’s actions are mutual and reciprocal. In such a setting, no one has more power over another, since all men have the same rank and the same advantages without fear of ‘subordination or subjection.’ (Locke, 8) However, Locke draws our attention to an important point that deals with man in his natural settings. He sheds light on the liberty of man by explaining to us that even though man has full liberty to disburse his actions or possessions in any way he deems fit, yet he does not have the liberty to destroy himself. He brings to our notice, that there is a law of nature that governs the state of nature and it is this law of nature that teaches man to reason and makes him responsible for his actions even though he has the liberty to act at his will. Locke, highlights the fact that though mankind are all equal and independent, yet, no one has the right to harm himself, nor his fellow beings life, possessions, his health nor his liberty in any way because everyone was created for the use of the other. (Locke, 9) However, if a person goes against the law of nature, then a person has the right to secure the law of nature by punishing the offender and bringing peace and harmony to the communi ty of mankind. (Locke, 10) In chapter III, Locke speaks in sharp contrast about the State of War, as against the State of Nature. He rightly explains that the state of war only leads to enmity and