But though men, when they enter into society give up the equality, liberty, and executive power they had in the state of Nature into the hands of society...the power of the society or legislative constituted by them can never be supposed to extend farther than the common good.... Whoever has the legislature or supreme power of any commonwealth, is bound to govern by established standing laws, promulgated and known to the people, and not by extemporary decrees, by...upright judges, who are too decide controversies by those laws; and to employ the force of the community at home only in the execution of such laws; and to employ the force of the community at home only in the execution of such laws, or abroad to prevent or redress foreign injuries and secure the community from inroads and invasion. And all this is to be directed to no other end but the peace, safety, and public good...Summarize the text in your own words.

Answer 1

The passage discusses the social contract theory, stating that when individuals join a society, they relinquish their natural equality, freedom, and power to the collective authority of that society. However, this authority is limited to serving the common good. Those in charge of creating laws (legislators) must govern based on established, publicly known laws rather than arbitrary decisions. Additionally, conflicts should be resolved by fair judges according to these laws. The community's power should primarily be used to enforce these laws domestically and to protect against external threats, all aimed at ensuring peace and public welfare.