Second Treatise of Government - Hardcover

by John Locke (Author)

A foundational work of political philosophy setting out Locke's theory of natural rights, government by consent, and the limits of political authority.

First published in 1689 as part of Two Treatises of Government, the Second Treatise presents John Locke's account of the origin and purpose of civil society. Locke argues that individuals possess natural rights-life, liberty, and property-which precede the formation of government, and that political authority arises from the consent of the governed. Government, in this framework, exists to preserve these rights, and its legitimacy depends upon its adherence to that function.

The work proceeds through a systematic examination of the state of nature, the formation of political society, and the conditions under which authority may be dissolved. Locke's analysis had a lasting influence on the development of modern political thought, particularly in relation to constitutional government and individual liberty. The Second Treatise remains central to the study of Enlightenment philosophy and the intellectual foundations of modern democratic systems.