"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it..." Thomas Jefferson \( (1787) \) Who would agree with the above quote: Locke or Hobbes? Explain:

The quote by Thomas Jefferson aligns more closely with the philosophies of **John Locke** rather than **Thomas Hobbes**. Here's why: ### **John Locke's Perspective:** 1. **Natural Rights:** Locke emphasized that individuals possess natural rights to **life, liberty, and property**. These rights are inherent and cannot be justly taken away without consent. 2. **Social Contract:** According to Locke, governments are formed through a social contract to protect these natural rights. The legitimacy of a government stems from its ability to serve the people's interests. 3. **Right to Revolution:** If a government becomes **destructive** and fails to protect these rights, Locke asserted that the people not only have the right but also the **duty** to alter or abolish such a government and establish a new one that ensures their safety and property. ### **Thomas Hobbes' Perspective:** 1. **State of Nature:** Hobbes viewed the natural state of humans as one of perpetual conflict, where life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." To escape this, individuals enter into a social contract. 2. **Absolute Sovereignty:** Hobbes advocated for a strong, often absolute, sovereign authority to maintain peace and security. He believed that once this authority is established, individuals should not have the right to overthrow it, as doing so could lead back to chaos and conflict. 3. **Limited Right to Rebellion:** Unlike Locke, Hobbes did not support the idea of a right to revolution or altering the government unless the sovereign fails to provide basic security, which is rarely the case in his ideal state. ### **Conclusion:** Given that the quote emphasizes the **right of the people to alter or abolish a government** when it becomes destructive, this resonates strongly with **John Locke's** theories on governance and individual rights. Locke's advocacy for the possibility of replacing a government that fails to protect its citizens' natural rights directly mirrors Jefferson's sentiment in the quoted passage. **Answer:** John Locke would agree, as his theories uphold the people’s right to change or overthrow a government that fails to protect their natural rights.