Second Treatise of Government: Chapter 10: Of the Forms of a Common-wealth Summary & Analysis

According to Locke, the majority of society has the power of the entire community within it, and the majority has the power to make laws for the community. If the majority has the power to execute those laws through a few select people of their own choosing, a perfect democracy is formed. When power is placed not in the majority but with a few select people, this is an oligarchy. If power is placed in the hands of a single person, a monarchy is born, and if this power extends to the monarch’s heirs, this is a hereditary monarchy. If a monarch rules for life and upon their death a new ruler is selected by the people, this is considered an elective monarchy.

Each form of government depends upon the placement of supreme power, or the legislative, because one cannot expect an inferior power to rule over one that is superior. This forms a common-wealth. By common-wealth, Locke does not mean a democracy but “any independent community.” In Latin, this is known by the word civitas, and the closest English word to such a term is common-wealth. To simply call such independent societies cities or communities is not exactly right, Locke says, as there can be subordinate communities in government.