Liberty of Man in Society

"The Liberty of Man, in Society, is to be under no other Legislative Power, but that established, by consent, in the Common-wealth, nor under the Dominion of any Will, or Restraint of any Law, but what the Legislative shall enact, according to the Trust put in it" (Bk II, Chap IV, Sec 22).


BK: Note there is no requirement that the Legislative enact only that which is consistent with Natural Liberty. The requirement here is that the legislative power is established by consent and is constrained by the "Trust" placed in it, presumably to keep the terms of the agreement.

Natural Liberty

"The Natural Liberty of Man is to be free from any Superior Power on Earth, and not to be under the Will or Legislative Authority of Man, but to have only the Law of Nature for his Rule."

Locke, The Second Treatise of Government, Bk. II, Chap IV, Sec 22.


BK: I just want to put this up for pondering for a day because I am not sure how well it fits with, or relates to, what follows in this chapter.