Abstract: Examining Locke's concept of federative power from the perspective of 17th-century political reforms in England reveals that this idea both inherited and transformed the royal prerogatives over foreign affairs under the absolutist monarchy.While it was designated as “federative power” and, in principle, subordinated to the supreme legislative authority, it retained the characteristics of a prerogative that was not easily constrained by legislative power.Under the constitutional monarchy established by the Glorious Revolution, whether through the functioning of party government or the process of political democratization, the exercise of power in foreign affairs consistently exhibited resistance to effective parliamentary oversight.This reflects an inherent contradiction within the system, rooted in the fact that the 17th-century political reforms primarily addressed domestic affairs, leaving the realm of foreign policy largely untouched.

Key words: the perspective of institutional reform, royal prerogatives in foreign affairs, Locke, federative power, the British Parliament