Two Treatises of Government

<p><strong>Two Treatises of Government</strong> (1689) by <strong>John Locke</strong> is a foundational work of political philosophy that argues against absolute monarchy and in favor of individual rights and limited government.</p><p><strong>First Treatise</strong></p><p>Locke dismantles <strong>Robert Filmer's</strong> 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.</p><p><strong>Second Treatise</strong></p><p>Locke lays out his own theory of government:</p><ul><li><ul><li><strong>State of nature:</strong> Humans are free equal and governed by natural law (reason).</li><li><strong>Natural rights:</strong> Life liberty and property are inherent and must be protected.</li><li><strong>Social contract:</strong> People consent to form governments to secure their rights.</li><li><strong>Limited government:</strong> Political power must remain conditional accountable and based on the consent of the governed.</li><li><strong>Right of revolution:</strong> If a government violates natural rights citizens may lawfully overthrow it.</li></ul></li></ul><p>Overall the work provides a philosophical basis for modern liberal democracy and strongly influenced later political thought including the American and French revolutions.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>