To understand political power right, and derive it from its original, we must consider, what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man. – john locke, second treatise of government, 1690 in this passage, locke is describing the "state of nature.” for locke, this state of nature is one in which people are unable to keep possessions. frustrated by natural laws. perfectly free to do as they wish. dependent on the cooperation of others.