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Locke, John

"Concerning Civil Government, Second Essay"

Because such a blind
obedience is necessary to that end for which the commander has his
power- viz., the preservation of the rest, but the disposing of his
goods has nothing to do with it.
140. It is true governments cannot be supported without great
charge, and it is fit every one who enjoys his share of the protection
should pay out of his estate his proportion for the maintenance of it.
But still it must be with his own consent- i.e., the consent of the
majority, giving it either by themselves or their representatives
chosen by them; for if any one shall claim a power to lay and levy
taxes on the people by his own authority, and without such consent
of the people, he thereby invades the fundamental law of property, and
subverts the end of government. For what property have I in that which
another may by right take when he pleases to himself?
141. Fourthly. The legislative cannot transfer the power of making
laws to any other hands, for it being but a delegated power from the
people, they who have it cannot pass it over to others. The people
alone can appoint the form of the commonwealth, which is by
constituting the legislative, and appointing in whose hands that shall
be.


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