The Lockean Proviso and the Global South
Chansolme, Luke
Chansolme, Luke
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2025-05-19
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Abstract
John Locke's Two Treatises of Government is one of the most influential works of political
philosophy since its publishing. Locke argues that government's purpose is to protect one's life,
liberty, and property. Many societies follow some of the principles laid out in his work. However,
one major principle often overlooked is the "enough, and as good" proviso, which may limit the
rights of individuals in order to promote the well-being of all in society. When acquiring property
or a holding, one should strive to leave enough and as good for everyone else, ensuring that he
does not take more than his share. This became known as the Lockean proviso. Since then, many
philosophers studying Locke have attempted to interpret the proviso in order to fully understand
Locke's concept of government. I will engage with three of those interpretations. Then, I will
discuss many of the exploitive practices creating inequality in the Global South that enrich the
lives of those in the Global North. After detailing these issues, I claim that the proviso has been
violated by investors inhibiting Global Southerners from flourishment through their exploitive
labor practices and undermining of national and local governments. These practices do not
leave enough and as good for others. A system that emphasized the proviso would allow for
greater opportunity for prosperity for all.