John Locke - libertarian anarchism

Abstract

Political philosophers darkly joke that after a revolution they will be among the first to be thrown onto the bonfi re. Both those who have political power and those who lack it can fi nd political philosophy threatening, which occasionally makes being a political philosopher a risky affair. John Locke experienced the danger that can accompany the pursuit of political ideas. He engaged with these ideas not only at a philosophical remove, but also intimately, as someone who could be found at the center of volatile political activity. In fact, it seems fair to say that Locke ’s writings on political philosophy, characterized as they are by passion, courage, and maturity, reflect his first-hand experience with both the signifi cance of political ideas to a society and their perilous nature.