The Second Treatise of Government and a Letter Concerning Toleration

John Locke was one of the most important political theorists in Western history. Highly influential in the Age of Enlightenment in England and France, his works helped inspire the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

locke's Second Treatise of Government written in 1689, is one of the great classics of political philosophy, widely regarded as the foundational text of modern liberalism. In this major contribution to the principles underlying modern democracies, he achieved two objectives: refuting the concept of the divine right of monarchy, and establishing a theory of government based on the ultimate sovereignty of the people. Locke insists on majority rule, and regards no government as legitimate unless it has the consent of the people. Setting aside ethnicities, religions and cultures, he sees societies which meet our basic needs as human beings. His work helped to entrench ideas of a social contract, human rights, and protection of property as the guiding principles for just actions and just societies.
A Letter Concerning Toleration, composed as early as 1667 but not published for political reasons until 1689 -- after the "Glorious Revolution" -- Locke aimed to end Christianity's wars of religion and called for the separation of church and state. He pushed for religious tolerance on grounds similar to his argument for political freedom, that all men are by nature "free, equal, and independent," and are entitled to freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of worship.

These works laid the foundation of the modern democratic state in England and abroad. They influenced the basis of social and political philosophy for generations, and their enduring importance makes them essential reading for all students of history, political science, and philosophy,