Yakovlev A. A.

Naturalization, Labor and Market:  Three Essays by John Locke ”P. 78-87.

UDC 14(420)

DOI: 10.37724/RSU.2021.72.3.008

Abstract. The article presents three essays written by John Locke (1632–1704): “For a General Naturalization” (1693), “Labor” (1693), “Venditio” (1695). The essays were not published during the philosopher’s lifetime and have never been previously translated into Russian. Written in the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution (1688–1689), the three essays focus on political issues facing post-revolutionary England. The economic and financial crisis of the 1690s had a direct impact on the living conditions of the population and resulted in resource deficit which Locke planned to overcome by means of labor and international trade. Locke underlines the pivotal role of labor as a prerequisite for common wellbeing. Locke believes that the improvement of the mind is a way to reduce political tension. He maintains that it is essential that courtiers should give up luxurious and degrading habits. He believes that a ruler’s example will promote honest labor. Locke lambasts xenophobia and advocates naturalization. Despite the fact that the Naturalization Act of 1693 granted assistance to Huguenots who fled to England after the repeal of the Edict of Nantes of 1685, Locke treats the issue in a broader sense and advocates that migrant workers willing to become naturalized and loyal to their new country are a great asset in augmenting the national wealth. Promoting free market prices, Locke underlines the necessity of holding to the scholastic concept of economic ethics and of setting standards of fairness and compassion in transactions.

Keywords: wealth, Huguenots, xenophobia, compassion, aiding the poor, rulers’ examples, absolute necessity, common good, Glorious Revolution, scholastic tradition.

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