In this second episode of the Liberty Lounge, we continue to explore the philosophical and political theories of the American founding fathers as we work our way through Thomas G. West's book The Political Theory of the American Founding. Jordan uses West's book as a jumping off point to explore John Locke's theory of natural rights, with the aim of answering the following questions:

-What is the difference between classical liberalism and modern liberalism?
-Is there a conflict between equality and liberty?
-Is inequality necessary? If so, what do we mean when we pursue equality?
-How do governments emerge from a "state of nature"?
-How do rights emerge from a "state of nature"?
-What is a "right"?
-Are natural rights universal? Are they objective facts?
-Who was right--Rousseau, Hobbes, or Locke? And why?
-What makes the American political system and the U.S. Constitution special?
-How do property rights emerge from a "state of nature"?
-Why do we need property rights to be free?
-Is taxation moral?
-Do men truly wish to be free?

The Liberty Lounge is a segment of The Western Canon podcast dedicated to reviewing great books that focus on the principles of liberty and freedom. In the first two (2) episodes, we look closely at the brilliant enlightenment ideas--such as natural rights, ordered liberty, limited government, equality, and virtue--that typified the founders' thought and went into the drafting of documents like The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Federalist Papers.

If you enjoyed episode #2 of the Liberty Lounge, check out episode #1 at the following link: https://youtu.be/bUfPblXVwWU.