Question

1. Tell me about John Locke's philosophy for government. Did any of his ideas have an impact on the formation of the U.S. Government? If so, how?
2. Is there a difference between a civic duty and civic responsibility? How are they the same? How are they different?

3. Many American have different ideas about what are there natural rights. This can create conflicts in the way that is interpreted. Give me you interpretation and an example of what you believe.

4. Many Americans say that our government over regulates society. Can you think of ways government controls your life. Are the regulations necessary or not?

5. With new immigrants laws affecting families every day, do you think it is becoming difficult to become a US citizen? Do you think it is too easy to become a US citizen?

Answer 1

1) John Locke contributed to the development of human comprehension, economics, and politics that still influence the operation of public administration nowadays. He explained the concept of a state of nature where every man realies on.

In addition to that, he contributed the most to create the constitutionalism and the separation of powers, expanding the idea of modern executive and legislative power. To finish, he also promoted the idea of property and the basis for prosperity.  

2) Both Civic rights and Civic responsibilities are performed by the law enforcement and are subjected for the citizens. They differ in meaning. Civic right is an action thats required by law, such as paying taxes and attending school. Civic responsibility is suggested, but not required by law, such as attending to vote.

3) Natural rights are based on the universal natural law that every human being share just for being a human being. Given that, those laws cannot be denied or even ruled out by any government. For me, the only natural right that's possible is the property right, which includes the right of own my own body (auto-property) and the properties under my name.

4) The governmental regulations are bad because they reduce your liberty. Because of its power, the state can try to fix any possible problem, and in some cases only contributing to make it worse.

One example of a bad regulation come to us in the minimum wage, which states a minimum amount of money that has to be paid to the employee regardless of its function. There are many entry jobs that don't make enough money to reach the minimum wage but are good opportunities to learn at work. For those cases, the employer is permanently prohibited to offer those jobs.

5) The process of becoming US citizen became even more difficult and complicated after the terrorist attacks of the early 2000s. In comparison with other countries, I can easily say that the US is a very difficult country to achieve citizenship.

Answer 2

1. Among some concept in Locke’s political philosophy (natural law and natural rights, state of nature, property rights, punishment, toleration, consent, etc.) he claims that an appropriate way of government is based on the idea of separation of powers. The legislative power would be able to make new laws or change existing laws and specify appropriate punishments if any of them are not respected. The executive power would be in charge of enforcing the law and execute it. And, the federative power would consist in respecting every country and punish one another for violations of this law in order to protect the rights of their citizens.  

His ideas had an impact on the formation of the U.S Government, because in the U.S there is a separation of powers (executive, legislative and Judicial).

2. There is a difference between a civic duty and a civic responsibility.  

Civic responsibilities are the responsibilities a citizen might have as been part of a particular community, but they are not required by law. These can be: participation in government, church, register and vote, provide a job campaigns and special programs for people with disabilities, etc.

Civic duties are obligations any citizen might follow. It’s required by law. These can be: Paying taxes, attending school, serving on a jury or as a witness in court, etc.

3. The natural rights are the ones that are unalienable, meaning they can never be taken away from any person. I agree with John Locke, who says that our natural rights are life, property and liberty. For example, everyone is entitled to live, everyone can do whatever they want as long it doesn’t break any law and everyone can create, receive or trade anything they want with whoever they want.

4. I agree with Americans that believe that our government controls our life. An example of this is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which wants to regulate and nationalize power generation and consumption. Also the costs for citizens, how we get education, how medical professionals should work, etc.

5. I think it’s becoming difficult to become a US citizen.

The first step most people face is to establish in the country and get the residency. It depends what country you are from it can take a long time for you to get a green card. Each country has a limit of green cards per year. If the person is lucky enough to get a green card, they might have to wait another five years to establish residency in the US before they can apply for citizenship. Once you are eligible to get it you must pass a background test, a civics test, demonstrate an ability to read, write and understand English, and pay a fee.