Government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed and adherence to the law.
Portrait of John Locke, by Godfrey Kneller (1697)
By Lorne Davis
Philosopher John Locke noted in his 1690 Second Treatise on Government that when a leader disregards constitutional order, he gives up legitimacy and the people are justified in treating him as a “thief and a robber.” “[W]hosoever in authority exceeds the power given him by the law and makes use of the force he has under his command…ceases in that to be a magistrate; and, acting without authority, may be opposed, as any other man, who by force invades the right of another,”
You may be thinking “why do I care what some 17th century philosopher said. Well, here in the US, we would have, up until the past decade, thought Locke’s view rather quaint and not that relevant in the modern context. However, Locke was a pretty smart guy – having studied human nature, politics and government – he recognized that government by and for the people could be stolen if appropriate guardrails weren’t put in place and enforced.
Locke’s warning about leaders who exceed their constitutional authority remains strikingly relevant in today’s political environment. His argument—that a ruler who disregards the rule of law forfeits legitimacy—speaks to concerns today over authoritarianism, executive overreach, and democratic backsliding. In an era where political leaders, including ours today, test constitutional limits, Locke’s philosophy serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action for those who value democratic governance. The Forward Party, particularly here in NC, can be a leading force to help ensure Locke’s concerns don’t become real and entrenched here!
Across the world, there have been numerous instances of leaders consolidating power at the expense of democratic institutions. Some have used emergency powers to sidestep legislative bodies, while others have undermined electoral processes or silenced opposition voices. In these cases, Locke’s principle is clear: a leader who acts outside the law is no longer a rightful authority but an oppressor, akin to a “thief and a robber.” This idea underscores the legitimacy of opposition—whether through legal challenges, mass protests, or institutional resistance.
Ultimately, Locke’s message remains clear: government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed and adherence to the law. When leaders abandon these principles, they lose their rightful authority. In modern democracies, this means that people must remain vigilant, holding their leaders accountable and ensuring that power remains in service to the people, not the ambitions of a few. Join the North Carolina Forward Party to help us preserve our government for the people, by the people: https://www.northcarolinaforwardparty.com/
