"It is not, nor can possibly be absolutely arbitrary over the lives and fortunes of the people: for it being but the joint power of every member of the society given up to that person, or assembly, which is legislator; it can be no more than those persons had in a state of nature before they entered into society, and gave up to the community: for nobody can transfer to another more power than he has in himself; and nobody has an absolute arbitrary power over himself, or over any other, to destroy his own life, or take away the life or property of another." (Chapter XI, p. 323)
This quote greatly stuck out to me. Could John Locke, one of the most influential political thinkers of the United States be a supporter of the tyranny of the majority? According to this particular quote, the policies of the people will always prevail. In fact, the entire chapter is essentially about the community (the majority) always being right. If the majority is always right, then minority groups will risk persecution.
What are your thoughts about this quote or the chapter in particular? Do you agree with this reasoning? Why? Or why not?
This is especially interesting considering that Locke supported English laws regarding slavery that were written for the constitution of the Carolinas.
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