Two Treatises of Government

Two Treatises of Government (1689) by John Locke is a foundational work of political philosophy that argues against absolute monarchy and in favor of individual rights and limited government.

First Treatise

Locke dismantles Robert Filmer's theory of the divine right of kings, which claimed that monarchs inherited absolute authority from Adam. Locke argues that political power cannot be justified by lineage or divine grant.

Second Treatise

Locke lays out his own theory of government:

• • State of nature: Humans are free, equal, and governed by natural law (reason).
  • Natural rights: Life, liberty, and property are inherent and must be protected.
  • Social contract: People consent to form governments to secure their rights.
  • Limited government: Political power must remain conditional, accountable, and based on the consent of the governed.
  • Right of revolution: If a government violates natural rights, citizens may lawfully overthrow it.

Overall, the work provides a philosophical basis for modern liberal democracy and strongly influenced later political thought, including the American and French revolutions.