A student of political philosophy knows that “the state of nature” is defined as the human condition in the absence of government. The Social Contract theory of Government proposed by English philosopher John Locke and Swiss philosopher Jean Jeaques Rousseau greatly influenced our American founding fathers when they wrote the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The truth of human nature is that we need order and discipline and right authority to protect our life, liberty, and property from harm. The truth of human liberty is that we are capable of making very destructive, selfish and deadly decisions just as we are capable of making very creative, loving and life giving decisions.
In “ Finding me”, I read about the life of a girl named Micheal. She was kidnapped by her friend’s dad named Ariel Castro for more than 10 years. She was a young single mom 21 years old but had to face many horrible things. This story reflects so many emotions such as anger, fear, depression, perseverance and hope. I can not imagine a small girl who is 84 pounds being beaten and tortured if she does not do whatever the man says for a long time.
From the book “I might have been chained, starved and beaten, yet that monster could totally crush my spirit. Over and over I chose to get back up and keep going”. The only thing that helps her come over is thinking about her son, she wants to live to meet her son. Finally after 10 years, with the help of others from the neighborhood, the police came into the house and helped her escape from the house and be free.
In this story, it reflects human nature in different characters. The man represents selfishness, cruelty and the view of Thomas Hobbes who says the state of nature is a state of war. While Micheal represents the image of determination, strength, hope and altruism. Micheal is motivated by life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness even in the most unhappy circumstance. As Tomas Jefferson echoed John Locke; these are certain “inalienable rights” that cannot be taken from any individual no matter the circumstances. Micheal is the victim of the man, it makes me think about the government we have today.Micheal is the victim of bad government or even of the absence of government but perseveres in the knowledge that she still has life, liberty, and the hope of seeing her son again.
As philosophers imagine the absence of government in the state of nature; there are 4 theories that arise about the origins of government. When I think about these four theories of Government I can see how the “self government” in Micheal’s story gives evidence to them.
- Evolutionary Theory: Government rises up out of the tribe or family and is maintained by safety and survival.
Family is often our first place of citizenship and our first lesson in government. In a good and healthy family we learn the value of home and we are protected by the ones who love us. If the family is broken or dysfunctional then the safety and trust of its members is at risk. Even in her freedom from captivity Micheal is at risk because she does not have a home or family to return to.
2. Force Theory: Government is created by the most powerful and maintained by threat of force.
In this world we often think that more power means more authority. A kidnapping is like living under a brutal dictatorship run by terror and military force.
3. Divine Right Theory: Government is created based on religious beliefs and maintained by ritual practices
Belief is a part of human nature. Some people govern themselves more or less religiously but we all have ritual behaviors based on our beliefs. Even as Micheal faced brutality in captivity, she maintained a behavior of belief through prayer.
4. Social Contract Theory: Government is created as an agreement to protect natural rights and maintained by compromise and flexibility.
A social contract like our US Constitution is a written document. Words are powerful; they carry authority as they represent ideals. A social contract is based on human relationships. The one relationship that mattered most to Micheal was that of mother and son. She wrote every day a type of contract of ideals and hopeful feelings about her son.
All of us could be destroyed if we do not have a good government to protect us. At the end of the book, Micheal was saved by police but for such a long time. A person who was lost for almost one decade but no one was looking for her. It raises questions for me whether the Government is doing enough to prevent bad things. And I can’t imagine how many people were kidnapped without knowing. I hope we will have a good government to stop these terrible things from happening. Everyone deserves happiness, freedom and looking for the future.