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John Locke and Algernon Sidney on Liberty and Free Government
This List Is By:
Nicolas Maloberti
Liberty Fund, Inc.
Liberty Fund Fellow
Algernon Sidney was executed for his political convictions in 1683. John Locke, apparently Sidney’s co-conspirator in a Whig attempt to overthrow the king, attained greater fame for his political teachings about natural rights to life, liberty, and property after fleeing England. Both argued for natural liberty and reasonable government based on popular consent. Their arguments, however, differ in the means advocated to reach the same end. One main difference seems to be Sidney’s more prominent emphasis on the “ancient” virtues required for good government, apparently ignored by Locke in favor of stressing “modern” individual rights to property and self-interest. However, this claim ignores not only Locke’s writings in “Some Thoughts Concerning Education,” and his emphasis on virtues, but also fails to more closely discuss the implications of reason and common sense so central in Locke’s Second Treatise. Hence, a careful scrutiny of both author’s arguments (on property, reason, tyranny and rebellion, the political virtues of the people, the merits of government, and others), and a weighing of the various possible interpretations of their writings in an open conversation will undoubtedly prove useful in fully understanding the main texts behind modern (not only American) “self-evident truths” about natural rights and good government.
About Algernon Sidney (1622-1683)
Algernon Sidney was a radical English republican political theorist who challenged Filmer’s theory of the divine right of kings. He was executed for treason in 1683.
About John Locke (1632-1704)
John Locke was an English philosopher who is considered to be one of the first philosophers of the Enlightenment and the father of classical liberalism. In his major work Two Treatises of Government Locke rejects the idea of the divine right of kings, supports the idea of natural rights (especially of property), and argues for a limited constitutional government which would protect individual rights.
Timeline: The Life and Work of John Locke (1632-1704)
Session I: Second Treatise, Ch. II
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER II.: Of the state of nature.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65394 on 2010-03-08
The text is in the public domain.
Session I: Second Treatise, Ch. III
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER III.: Of the state of War.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65408 on 2010-03-08
The text is in the public domain.
Session I: Second Treatise, Ch. V
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER V.: Of property.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65421 on 2010-03-08
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Session I: Second Treatise, Ch. IX
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER IX.: Of the ends of political society and government.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65527 on 2010-03-08
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. I, Section 2
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 2: The common Notions of Liberty are not from School Divines, but from Nature.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22221 on 2010-03-08
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. I, Section 4
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 4: The Rights of particular Nations cannot subsist, if General Principles contrary to them are received as true.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22225 on 2010-03-08
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. I, Section 10
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 10: Such as enter into Society, must in some degree diminish their Liberty.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22237 on 2010-03-08
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 1
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 1: Introduction.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22219 on 2010-03-11
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 3
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 3: Implicit Faith belongs to Fools, and Truth is comprehended by examining Principles.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22223 on 2010-03-11
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 20
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 20: Man’s natural love to Liberty is temper’d by Reason, which originally is his Nature.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22297 on 2010-03-08
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. III, Section 5
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 5: The Mischiefs suffer’d from wicked Kings are such as render it both reasonable and just for all Nations that have virtue and Power to exert both in repelling them.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22332 on 2010-03-11
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. III, Section 6
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 6: ’Tis not good for such Nations as will have Kings, to suffer them to be glorious, powerful, or abounding in Riches.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22334 on 2010-03-11
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. III, Section 11
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 11: That which is not just, is not Law; and that which is not Law, ought not to be obeyed.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22344 on 2010-03-11
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. III, Section 15
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 15: A general presumption that Kings will govern well, is not a sufficient security to the People.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22352 on 2010-03-11
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Session II: Discourses, Ch. III, Section 33
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 33: The Liberty of a People is the gift of God and Nature.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22388 on 2010-03-11
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Session III: Second Treatise, Ch. XI
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER XI.: Of the extent of the legislative power.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65542 on 2010-03-08
The text is in the public domain.
Session III: Second Treatise, Ch. XII
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER XII.: Of the legislative, executive, and federative power of the commonwealth.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65553 on 2010-03-08
The text is in the public domain.
Session III: Second Treatise, Ch. XIV
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER XIV.: Of prerogative.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65573 on 2010-03-08
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Session III: Thoughts Concerning Education, Paragraphs 88-1220 and 135-136
Read paragraphs 88-1220 and 135-136.
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 8. Chapter: SOME THOUGHTS CONCERNING EDUCATION.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/1444/81467 on 2010-03-08
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Session IV: Discourses, Ch. I, Section 16
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 16: The ancients chose those to be Kings, who excelled in the Virtues that are most beneficial to Civil Societies.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22248 on 2010-03-08
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Session IV: Discourses, Ch. I, Section 23
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 23: That is the best Government, which best provides for War.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22303 on 2010-03-08
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Session IV: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 1
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION I: That ’tis natural for Nations to govern, or to chuse Governors; and that Virtue only gives a natural preference of one man above another, or reason why one should be chosen rather than another.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22259 on 2010-03-11
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Session IV: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 3
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 3: Government is not instituted for the good of the Governor, but of the Governed; and Power is not an Advantage, but a Burden.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22263 on 2010-03-11
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Session IV: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 5
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 5: Freemen join together and frame greater or lesser Societies, and give such Forms to them as best please themselves.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22267 on 2010-03-11
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Session IV: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 11
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 11: Liberty produceth Virtue, Order and Stability: Slavery is accompanied with Vice, Weakness and Misery.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22279 on 2010-03-11
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Session IV: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 12
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 12: The Glory, Virtue, and Power of the Romans began and ended with their Liberty.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22281 on 2010-03-11
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Session IV: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 16
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 16: The best Governments of the World have been composed of Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22289 on 2010-03-11
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Session IV: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 19
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 19: That Corruption and Venality which is natural to Courts, is seldom found in Popular Governments.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22295 on 2010-03-11
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Session IV: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 21
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 21: Mixed and Popular Governments preserve Peace, and manage Wars, better than Absolute Monarchies.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22299 on 2010-03-11
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Session V: Second Treatise, Ch. XV
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER XV.: Of paternal, political, and despotical power, considered together.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65585 on 2010-03-08
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Session V: Second Treatise, Ch. XVIII
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER XVIII.: Of tyranny.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65621 on 2010-03-08
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Session V: Second Treatise, Ch. XIX
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER XIX.: Of the dissolution of government.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65635 on 2010-03-08
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Session V: Discourses, Ch. I, Section 5
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 5: To depend upon the Will of a Man is Slavery.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22227 on 2010-03-11
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Session V: Discourses, Ch. I, Section 11
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 11: No Man comes to command many, unless by Consent or by Force.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22239 on 2010-03-08
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Session V: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 27
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 27: The Mischiefs and Cruelties proceeding from Tyranny are greater than any that can come from Popular or mixed Governments.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22311 on 2010-03-08
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Session V: Discourses, Ch. III, Section 16
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 16: The observation of the Laws of Nature is absurdly expected from Tyrants, who set themselves up against all Laws: and he that subjects Kings to no other Law than what is common to Tyrants, destroys their being.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22354 on 2010-03-08
The copyright to this edition, in both print and electronic forms, is held by Liberty Fund, Inc.
Session V: Discourses, Ch. III, Section 20
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 20: Unjust Commands are not to be obey’d; and no man is obliged to suffer for not obeying such as are against Law.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22362 on 2010-03-08
The copyright to this edition, in both print and electronic forms, is held by Liberty Fund, Inc.
Session V: Discourses, Ch. III, Section 23
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 23: Aristotle proves, that no man is to be entrusted with an absolute Power, by shewing that no one knows how to execute it, but such a man as is not to be found.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22368 on 2010-03-08
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Session V: Discourses, Ch. III, Section 36
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 36: The general revolt of a Nation cannot be called a Rebellion.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22394 on 2010-03-08
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Session VI: Discourses, Ch. I, Section 9
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 9: The Power of a Father belongs only to a Father.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22235 on 2010-03-08
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Session VI: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 2
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 2: Every Man that hath Children, hath the right of a Father, and is capable of preferment in a Society composed of many.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22261 on 2010-03-08
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Session VI: Discourses, Ch. II, Section 4
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 4: The Paternal Right devolves to, and is inherited by all the Children.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22265 on 2010-03-08
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Session VI: Discourses, Ch. III, Section 1
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government, ed. Thomas G. West (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund 1996). Chapter: SECTION 1: Kings not being fathers of their People, nor excelling all others in Virtue, can have no other just Power than what the Laws give; nor any title to the privileges of the Lord’s Anointed.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/223/22324 on 2010-03-08
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Session VI: Second Treatise, Ch. VI
John Locke, The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.). Vol. 4. Chapter: CHAPTER VI.: Of paternal power.
Accessed from oll.libertyfund.org/title/763/65450 on 2010-03-08
The text is in the public domain.