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Second Treatise of Government

Written by John Locke

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Political scienceLibertyToleration

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About this book

"Second Treatise of Government" by John Locke is a foundational philosophical text concerning political theory, published in the late 17th century. The treatise critiques the divine right of kings and presents the concept of government by consent, positing the importance of individual rights and the role of the state in protecting these rights. The opening of the treatise sets the stage for Locke's arguments against the patriarchal forms of authority upheld by proponents of Sir Robert Filmer. Locke asserts that Adam did not possess inherent authority over his progeny and challenges the legitimacy of rulers who base their power on ancestral succession. He introduces key ideas regarding the state of nature, the role of consent in political authority, and the need for a civil society to maintain order and property rights. Locke emphasizes that individuals are born equal and free and that political power should derive from the collective agreement of those governed, aiming primarily for the public good.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Second Treatise of Government, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • Philosophical
  • Analytical
  • Foundational

John Locke's "Second Treatise of Government" is a seminal work of political philosophy that fundamentally challenges the divine right of kings, advocating for a government founded on the consent of the governed. Locke posits a state of nature where individuals possess inherent natural rights to life, liberty, and property, governed by a universal law of nature. He argues that people voluntarily leave this state to form a civil society, primarily to protect their property and ensure impartial justice, thereby establishing a social contract. This treatise champions limited government, the separation of powers, and the radical idea that citizens retain the right to resist and overthrow tyrannical rule when the government acts against the public good or their fundamental rights, profoundly influencing subsequent revolutionary thought and the development of liberal democracies.

“The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.”

Key themes

Natural Rights
Locke argues that individuals are born with inherent rights to life, liberty, and estate (property) that pre-exist government. These rights are not granted by any human authority but are derived from the Law of Nature and are inalienable. They form the bedrock of legitimate political power and are the primary reason for forming civil society.
Consent of the Governed / Social Contract
Locke posits that legitimate political authority derives solely from the consent of the individuals who are to be governed. People voluntarily agree to leave the state of nature and form a civil society, surrendering some individual power to a collective body for the greater good and protection of their rights. This agreement forms the basis of the social contract.
Property
Locke's theory of property is groundbreaking, arguing that individuals acquire ownership by mixing their labor with natural resources. Property (which includes 'life, liberty, and estate') is a natural right that predates government. The protection of property is identified as the 'great and chief end' for which men unite into commonwealths, demonstrating its central role in his political philosophy.

Worth discussing

How does Locke's concept of the 'state of nature' differ from that of Thomas Hobbes, and what are the implications of these differences for the role of government?

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