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Chapter 13: Of the Subordination of the Powers of the Common-wealth
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Second Treatise of Government, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Nature, War, and Civil Society
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government
Power and Absolute Monarchies
The Dissolution of Government
Summary
Analysis
In common-wealths where the legislative and executive are in separate hands, Locke argues, it is necessary for the good of the common-wealth that a good many things are left up to the discretion of the executive. The legislative cannot possibly foresee the need for all laws, and they are not always in session; thus, the executive must have the power to deal with transgressions as they arise. The power of the executive to act according to discretion is known as prerogative. The power of prerogative must remain unquestioned for the good of the common-wealth, Locke contends, and if it is questionable that one’s prerogative is beneficial to the people, that answer will become evident.
The power of the prerogative gives the executive, in a way, the right to do whatever they want, as long as what they want is for the good of the common-wealth. Just because Locke says the power of the prerogative should remain unquestioned does not mean to say that misuse of prerogative should remain unquestioned. As the people have a right to self-preservation and the right to prerogative could impede this right, they should question misuse; however, as long as the power of prerogative is used for good, it should remain unquestioned.
Themes
