Locke and Capitalism

LOCKE 1

100

According to Locke, which would be more valuable, a cake made from scratch or one made from a factory?

Most likely the cake made from scratch. Why? Because value is in part determined by the amount of human labor that goes into a product. Cakes made in factories, perhaps by machines, would be perceived as less valuable to the market. "Value" in this context means monetary price and also how it is regarded by others in society.

200

According to Locke, beside the amount of labor needed, why would wine typically be considered more valuable than water?

Aside from the amount of labor needed to produce something, *value* is also determined by availability of resources. There is more water to be harvested than there are grapes, sugar, etc.

300

TRUE OR FALSE: Based on Locke's theory, one person should not be allowed to own 14 houses.

False. If the person in question is able to demonstrate he or she *uses* all 14 houses in some fashion (even if by employing other people to take care of them when they are empty) then there is no waste or breach of social obligation. You can acquire as much wealth as you (or others you know or employ) can use.

400

TRUE OR FALSE: According to Locke, a person can own a car even if he or she didn't pay for it with his or her own money.

TRUE: So long as the person didn't steal the car, and the car was acquired with money that somebody worked for, then the car is rightfully owned.

500

Under what conditions is "ownership" of anything established? (There should be two answers).

1) You can own if you pay for something in full, or are paying for it with money that you work for. 2) You can own if something was "gifted" to you (paid for by other people's work money), you inherited it, and/or generally have consent to call something yours.

LOCKE 2

100

What does it mean to have "inalienable rights"?

Rights that you are born with. "Inalienable" literally means not alien or foreign to you. Inalienable rights are ones that everybody automatically has once they are born.

200

According to Locke, all people are born with the right to life, liberty, and specifically, ________?

The right to work and own property.

300

TRUE OR FALSE: On Locke's theory, the proper role of government would be to assist the poor.

FALSE. While it might be a moral obligation of people in society to help others in some fashion, this obligation resides with individuals and not governments. The proper role of government is simply to allow for "honest industry" (honest, non corrupt work) to thrive, and ensure that our inalienable rights are protected.

400

The most valuable guiding principle (endowed in all humans), according to Locke is what?

REASON! In order for society, protection of rights, and government to work, people must be reasonable. If you drop garbage, pick it up! If you are drinking, don't drive! If you know someone at work is stealing or participating in discrimination, report it! Etc., etc.

500

TRUE OR FALSE: Following Locke's theory, one might say, people should starve if they don't work and can't afford food.

False. While Locke doesn't address this directly, by the mandates of reason, it would seem people can figure out how to distribute food to those in need, and do so without having the government get involved. It would be important to find out why people are not working and need food so that others can figure out how to best help make them contributing members of society. For instance, if the people not working are disabled, then the rational thing to do would be to assist the disabled (who do not choose their disability) and let them know they are valued in society, and perhaps make a system of work that allows people to help the disabled. On the other hand, if the people not working simply don't want to work then it would be rational for society to educate them, and help them understand why contributing through work is important. Those who remain committed to not contributing to society will be few (if Locke's theory is taken seriously). Most people will be able to see the value of work if they are properly encouraged.

Locke 3

100

According to Locke, what is theft? NOTE: There are two possible answers. Determine both.

The most obvious form of theft is taking something you do not own. Ownership comes from work, and unless you work for, paid, or have consent to use something, you are stealing it from others. The second important from of theft, Locke argues, is wasting resources. If you take more or acquire more than you can use, you are "stealing" it from others who might have the chance to use it. This is not legal theft, on Locke's view, rather it is moral theft— something we simply should not do.

200

In keeping with Locke's theory, if your garden grows more tomatoes than you or your family can use, what should you do with all the extra harvest?

Give them or sell them to people who would like to have them. Otherwise, it is "waste" which, according to Locke, is akin to theft. One has a moral (not legal) obligation to not allow for waste.

300

According to Locke, there are two reasons money (which serves as a symbol of our work) is needed. What are the two reasons?

One purpose money serves is to trade goods with something that won't spoil. We want that which we trade with to be lasting, and convenient to handle. Another purpose money serves is to help industry grow and extend beyond the reach of bartered goods. For example, if we want to trade with other states or other countries, it is much easier to send money rather than goods (although sometimes sending goods needs to be done.)

400

TRUE OR FALSE: When Locke says, 'all men are born equal' he means all humans should be able to own the same amount of goods, and receive an equal amount of pay?

FALSE: Every human is equal in the sense of having the right to life, liberty, and happiness (right to pursue work and own), but how or whether one works to ensure their happiness is up to the individual. Not everyone works the same, nor are all kinds of work valued equally.

500

In keeping with Locke's theory, can we argue that being an elementary school teacher is work that should be valued less (in terms of money and social value) than being a doctor? Explain.

Yes. Just as it's harder to make wine and find the resources to do so than it is to "make" water, so earning the title of "doctor" is harder to achieve than that of teacher. ALSO, one might find there are far more teachers in society than there are doctors, so by virtue of "supply and demand", teachers are less valuable (to a free market). (NOTE: There are roughly over 6 million teachers in the USA, and only about 6 hundred thousand doctors. Note, also, that to compare Locke with Plato, Plato would agree the doctor should earn more money, but that they both should be valued equally in terms of social prestige.)

CAPITALISM 1

100

TRUE OR FALSE: If capitalism is a system of economy and government that seeks to maximize freedom for all people, then there should be no ban or restrictions on abortion.

TRUE: In a truly free society no person should be forced to have a pregnancy she doesn't want to have. A woman owns her body, and even if another life (not yet a person) inhabits her body, she has the right to discard that life. The reason our rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness don't apply to an embryo or fetus is because those rights only apply to people. "Personhood" is said to start once a viable (living) fetus lives outside the womb. Being a potential person is not the same as being an actual person.

200

TRUE OR FALSE: In a truly free society where there are no restrictions on the market, all drugs would be allowed to be sold openly.

TRUE. A truly 'free society' means people are free from force and governments telling them what to do. Even "hard drugs" would be legal. It is the individual's responsibility to not harm someone not matter what activity they are involved in.

300

A hardcore capitalist (free market advocate) would be against public schools, and only favor the existence of private schools because why?

Because public schools require tax money, and the government forces everyone to pay taxes, capitalism argues, public schools are anti-freedom. All schools should be paid for by private citizens who voluntarily give money to the schools of their choosing.

400

TRUE OR FALSE: According to capitalism, companies should be required to put labels on food.

FALSE: A company can volunteer to put labels on their food, but should not be forced. If the customer wants to know what is in the food, they can call the company and ask, they can put social pressure on the company to label, and/or boycott that company— don't buy products without labels if you want labels.

500

TRUE OR FALSE: According to capitalism, in a time of war, if the government needs more people to join the military, the government can enforce a draft.

FALSE: Again, genuine free society entails people are never forced to do anything by the government. If the military needs ore volunteers, people should enlist because they think it is the right thing to do.

CAPITALISM 2

100

TRUE OR FALSE: Capitalism favors the rights of government over the individual.

FALSE: The government should play a minimal role, and the individual should have the most power.

200

TRUE OR FALSE: A free market would encourage regulations of corporate profits (so they don't make too much money).

FALSE. A free market means FREE to make as much money as one wants. Locke would say *responsible* capitalism would entail making sure extra profits get cycled back into society in some fashion, like, in the forms of jobs or improved products.

300

A free market economy would stop trade with countries that violate human rights.

Ideally, this is true. If capitalists want to be consistent, they should expect the same commitment to human rights that they value from every person or country, and they should boycott countries that do not respect human rights. Boycotting is the most effective means of protest in a capitalism system.

400

TRUE OR FALSE: A true free market society would oppose immigrant workers being allowed in society.

FALSE: Both according to Locke and capitalism, people are people, no matter where they are from, and therefore have the right to pursue happiness. If immigrants choose to engage in "honest work", they are welcome in a free market society. NOTE: Most people in America immigrated here to build a life where they can be free and work how they choose. More people CAN mean more opportunity to create jobs. An interesting topic for debate.

500

A LOCKE QUESTION (but also for capitalism.) :) According to Locke, a genuinely free society can only work if people are: a) rational b) selfish c) educated

Best answer is a) rational. Selfishness is irrational and does not help keep freedom in place. Education can be great, but is not necessary to be rational or to refrain from violating people's rights. The one thing every person has free access to is their reason, and hence, through reason and awareness of our fundamental rights, all people could help keep society free from government and corruption. We can educate each other by setting examples for rational behavior. If we do, government (force) does not have to step in. See also "Locke 2 for 500" for more explanation.