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Common-wealth
The power of the executive of the common-wealth to act with discretion in order to preserve the good of the common-wealth. It is impossible for any legislative to foresee the need for all laws, Locke argues, so the executive must act with a fair amount of discretion. The power of the prerogative must remain unquestioned for the good of the common-wealth. A good king can never exercise too much prerogative, Locke contends, as a good king is always looking to improve the common-wealth. In England, the calling of parliament to assemble is a prerogative of the king.
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Prerogative Term Timeline in Second Treatise of Government
The timeline below shows where the term Prerogative appears in Second Treatise of Government. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 14: Of Prerogative
...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,...
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Chapter 18: Of Tyranny
...power that no one can have the right to. This includes using one’s power of prerogative for anything other than the good of the common-wealth. When a ruler makes the law...
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