on tradition and more significantly by the force of law. Since the Old Regime no longer corresponded to the realities of the 18th Century France, the forces and will of the people presented a time ready for dramatic change. Thus, the beginning of the French Revolution.
             In the Second Treatise of Government Locke presents his ideas on political theory. First and most important was his belief that mans natural state was of harmony with each other and equality. But we need a government to function. Because without government there are inconveniences such as no laws. The people make a contract with the government to protect their rights. This is Locke's rational reason for government. People have a natural right to oppose any government that does no keep the contract.
             Because man is born equal he has certain rights and the government is in place to protect these rights. Locke believed that the natural rights were "life, liberty and property." By the right to life, Locke means that no man is able to end his own life or the life of those around him. The right to liberty means being able to do what you wish under the law. Life should not be regulated because according to Locke men are free. The right to property is the right to keep what you own. By this, Locke meant physical land. The right to property flows out of a mans right to possess his body and so to produce the fruits of his body. You are entitled to the land you work on.
             The political theories of Locke can be clearly seen as influences and in products of the revolutions. In America the colonists felt that because they were so distant from the English government that taxed them unfairly and without their approval. We can see that perhaps the American colonists were influenced by Locke's idea that the state exists to preserve the natural rights of its citizens. When the government fails in that task, citizens have the rights and sometimes ...