Anna Wong

October 1, 2015
Period 4
Locke At Miramonte
If Miramonte were to be abandoned by adults tomorrow, the best way to govern
the student body would be John Locke's way of government. Locke's style of
government would best fit Miramonte because it values the people's Natural Rights, if
the people are unhappy they have a right of revolution, and the government's power is
limited.
The importance of the student body's Natural Rights will suit the Miramonte
community. John Locke believed that a person's life, liberty, and property should be
protected by the government. "All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one
ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions." exclaimed Locke. For
instance, killing someone or stealing their belongings is breaking the student's life and
property. Therefore, the government should protect the student in harm, and punish the
student that took away someone's Natural Rights. Protecting all students' Natural Rights
will sustain Miramonte and allow the community to prosper.
With John Locke's type of government, one benefit that students will appreciate
is the ability to have a say and stand up for their rights. In government, leaders may
make decisions that the people do not agree with. Locke describes how the government
protects peoples Natural Rights. However if the government does not do so, the people
have a right of revolution so their voices can be heard. Locke said, "To prejudge other
men's notions before we have looked into them is not to show their darkness but to put
out our own eyes." Locke is saying that pointing out another persons thoughts is not
judging them, it is only showing your opinion. In government, when a leader says or

makes a decision, people may protest. When they protest, they are not judging the
person, theyre saying their opinion. If the leader of Miramonte made an act that
supported the Seniors and not the rest of the grades, the Juniors, Sophomores, and
Freshmen classes are able to attempt an act of revolution. If the leader fails to protect
all peoples rights at Miramonte, the student body is capable to revolt against the leader.
Having a government that makes decisions without voting, may lead to an over
powerful government. However, in John Lockes style of government the governments
power is limited. Locke says that the government was made by people for people,
Lockes rule is that the government is limited to amounts of power. "Men being, as has
been said, by nature, all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this
estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent." Locke
said that a government should not ruin peoples lives because of how it is run. At
Miramonte, the leader may consider turning his or her government into a dictatorship
but the government have rules for the people and the people have rules for the
government.
A successful government for Miramonte students would be John Lockes style of
government. The student body would appreciate the fact that the government was made
to protect their Natural Rights, they are able to have a right of revolution, and the
government cannot over power them.