life by committing an act punishable by death, "...He, to whom he has forfeited it may (when he has him in his power) delay to take it, and make use of him to his own service. . . "[pg.17] This statement invalidates the existence of slavery, contradicting Locke's prior quoted assertion, because the perpetrator still cannot agree to give over more power than he/she has, e.g. forfeiting his/her own life. Also if, "This is the perfect condition of slavery, which is nothing else, but the state of war continued, between a lawful conqueror and a captive: for, if once compact enter between them, and make an agreement for a limited power the one side, and obedience on the other, the state of war and slavery ceases, as long as the compact endures." [pg.17] Under no circumstances, even committing fault punishable by death, can one agree to subject himself/herself to the arbitrary will of another, "...for, as has been said, no man can, by agreement, pass over to another that which he hath not in himself, a power over his own life." Nevertheless, whether or not Locke's views on slavery are consistent, the presence of slavery still does not undermine the legitimacy of the government, because the protection of the law does not give rights to those individuals who do not even possess themselves.In conclusion, natural equality need not be preserved to its full extent in transition to civil society. Members of civil society, give legitimacy to the governing power of common rule or law by consenting to it. For a government to sustain this legitimacy, it need only continue to protect these consenting participants from the constant threat of a prolonged state of war, sustaining our right to enjoy our property within it. Furthermore, the inequality that is intrinsic in monetary based civil society, does not undermine the validity of government because the purpose of consenting to common law is to protects one's valuables; life, liberty, and pursui...
