Two Treatises of Government, John Locke
Two Treatises of Government, John Locke
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Two Treatises of Government

Author: John Locke

Narrator: James Langton

Unabridged: 10 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 03/28/2011

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

Often considered the foundation of political liberalism, John Locke's Two Treatises of Government was first published anonymously in 1689, in the wake of England's Glorious Revolution. In The First Treatise of Government, Locke refutes the idea of divine monarchy, while The Second Treatise of Government articulates Locke's philosophy of government, which he based upon his theories of natural rights and the social contract. In Locke's view, governments' legitimacy is based upon their performance of their proper functions—preservation of the life, liberty, and property rights of their citizens, and protection from those who seek to violate these rights.

A radical doctrine at the time of its publication, Locke's theories provided a philosophical basis for many of the principles behind the American Revolution. More than 300 years after the publication of the Two Treatises of Government, Locke's ideas continue to spark debate. A must-listen for anyone interested in the foundations of contemporary political ideology, Locke's hugely influential work will retain its relevance for generations to come.

About John Locke

John Locke, FRS (1632–1704) was an influential English philosopher and physician widely known as the father of classical liberalism. The son of an attorney in a middle-class family, Locke attended Oxford and studied medicine. The first earl of Shaftesbury introduced Locke to the world of politics, and early in their association, Locke served as secretary of the Board of Trade and Plantations and secretary to the Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas. In 1696, Locke was made Commissioner of Trade, a position he held for several years. His most well-known works include Two Treatises on Government (1689) and An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690).


Reviews

Goodreads review by Orhan on August 08, 2022

Even though the Two Treatises of Government was published anonymously in the year 1689, the Editor of this book's edition, Peter Laslett, argues that the two Treatises were written between the years of 1679-1683, well before the publishing and The Glorious Revolution of 1688-89. Furthermore, Laslett......more

Goodreads review by Kenghis on July 25, 2007

Those of us living in liberal democracies owe tremendous intellectual debt to John Locke. His "Second Treatise" in particular helped lay the foundation for a political system that emphasized "life, liberty, and property." The First Treatise is interesting to skim through, though it is in the second......more

Goodreads review by Pinkyivan on April 19, 2018

Inoffensive, agreeable, well written, but also rather dull and useless.......more

Goodreads review by Robert on February 21, 2020

As its title states, John Locke’s “Two Treatises on Government” are two separate treatments on the basis of just and legitimate government; the first of which is structured as a rebuttal to the notion, as articulated in Robert Filmer’s “Patriarcha, or The Natural Power of Kings”, of monarchical powe......more

Goodreads review by Scriptor Ignotus on January 28, 2018

As I was finishing Locke and beginning to put this review together, a news story came to my attention which, in a circuitous manner, reminded me of why I felt the need to do some (re)reading about liberalism this year. A FRIVOLOUS DIGRESSION An American woman was going through security at Frankfurt I......more