Open Philosophy LibrarySecond Treatise Of Government
Second Treatise Of Government
John Locke's Second Treatise of Government develops a theory of legitimate political power grounded in natural equality, rights and consent. Beginning with the state of nature, Locke examines property, family, political society, legislative authority, prerogative, conquest, tyranny and the dissolution of government. He argues that rulers hold power as a trust for the public good and may be resisted when they replace law with arbitrary force. This complete edition includes Locke's Preface and all nineteen chapters.
About this work
Second Treatise of Government replaces hereditary absolute rule with an account of political authority founded upon naturally free and equal persons. Locke distinguishes liberty from licence and argues that natural law protects life, health, liberty and possessions before civil government exists.
The work explains how labour can establish property, why inconveniences in the state of nature lead people to form communities, and why majority decision is necessary for collective action. Government exists to provide settled law, impartial judgement and dependable enforcement.
Legislative power is supreme but fiduciary: it must use public laws for the common good and cannot arbitrarily take property or transfer its authority. Locke also analyses executive discretion, conquest, usurpation and tyranny.
The final chapter explains how government dissolves when rulers alter the legislature, obstruct law or betray political trust. The people then retain authority to establish a government capable of protecting their rights.