O pensamento de John Locke: liberalismo clássico em contraste com o neoliberalismo atual

Abstract

This research seeks to discuss John Locke's ideas about private property, emphasizing the importance of utility and moderation in the use of resources. Locke argues that land use must be done in a way that meets human needs without waste. The author sees property as a natural right, linked to freedom and reason, that is, as essential for the individual's self-preservation. Locke is recognized for his contribution to development of liberalism and for influencing what later became the neoliberalism as we know it today. In this research, we sought to show the way in which John Locke opposed absolute monarchy and argued in favor of a legislative power that guarantee the freedom of men. He believed that for a society to be just, its members should renounce certain natural rights in favor of a legislative system that protect individual freedom and private property. His ideas influenced significantly changed political and economic changes in 17th century Europe. We will search relate Locke's ideas to contemporary neoliberalism, as presented by Noam Chomsky, suggesting that neoliberal policies profoundly affect current social, political and economic issues, deviating from Lockean principles of justice and conservation.