Extended Essays 2021

mitigate apparent fascist behaviours and qualities of American government.

Furthermore, the ‘Boogaloo,’ is deeply present on social media, both recruiting and

sharing information using various platforms, where an increase in censorship of their

material has occurred. The objective of the Capitol Riot, as outlined in online

chatrooms between the extremists, was to, “go there ready for war. We get our

President, or we die. NOTHING else will achieve this goal.” 15

Following the arguments established by Hobbes that all fighting causes injustice, the

activities of the ‘Boogaloo Boys,’ would be identified as illogical. The sovereign makes

no covenant to its people and as such, for the militia to be of the impression that their

freedoms are being violated is invalid. Furthermore, Hobbes would identify that as the

most knowledgeable in society hold power the accusations of the Boogaloo are

baseless. Without proper comprehension of the roles and responsibilities of

government, one cannot replace them. Though Hobbes’s ded uctive argument for the

ability to enact change was unsound, other concepts of the nature of sovereignty

remain relevant and as such an opposing conclusion may be drawn.

Though Locke is positioned as being an advocate for insurrection, similarly the actions

of the ‘Boogaloo Boys,’ would be identified as being illogical. This is due to Locke’s

second condition of the legitimate state stating that individuals must consent to the

government. The concept of ‘tacit consent,’ 16 is relevant here whereby simply by voting

within a democratic system one is consenting to the legitimacy of rule by the winner.

15 Lee, ArLuther. “Riot at the Capitol — What Caused One of America’s Darkest Days.” Ajc , 2021, www.ajc.com/news/riot-at-the-capitol-what-caused-one-of-americas-darkest- days/LC7SQJXNVVBEPAQSAETMJQT73U/. 16 To support his view that legitimate government requires consent, Locke puts forth this concept of tacit consent. One takes part in this form of consent when they perform actions that imply their agreeance with certain rules or responsibilities. Through voting in a democracy, one implies that they consent to the winner governing by simply taking part. Bennett, John G. “A Note on Locke’s Theory of Tacit Consent.” The Philosophical Review , vol. 88, no. 2, Apr. 1979, p. 224, 10.2307/2184507. Accessed 26 Nov. 2019.

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