The book entitled “Two Treaties on Civil Government” is by (B) John Locke.

John Locke's Two Treatises on Civil Government

John Locke's Two Treatises on Civil Government is a foundational text of modern political philosophy. It was published in 1689, in the wake of the Glorious Revolution, and it helped to shape the political thought of the Enlightenment.

The book is divided into two treatises. The first treatise is a refutation of Robert Filmer's patriarchal theory of government. Filmer argued that kings were divinely ordained rulers, and that their subjects owed them absolute obedience. Locke argued against this, asserting that all people are born with certain natural rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property. He also argued that governments are formed by the consent of the governed, and that they should be limited in their power.

The second treatise is a more positive account of Locke's political philosophy. In it, he argues that the purpose of government is to protect the natural rights of the people. He also argues that governments should be based on the rule of law, and that they should be accountable to the people.

Locke's Two Treatises on Civil Government had a profound impact on the development of Western political thought. It was one of the most influential texts of the Enlightenment, and it helped to shape the American Revolution and the French Revolution. The book's ideas about natural rights, limited government, and the rule of law are still influential today.

Here are some of the key ideas of Two Treatises on Civil Government:

  • All people are born with certain natural rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property.
  • Governments are formed by the consent of the governed.
  • Governments should be limited in their power.
  • The purpose of government is to protect the natural rights of the people.
  • Governments should be based on the rule of law.
  • Governments should be accountable to the people.

Two Treatises on Civil Government is a complex and challenging work, but it is also a rewarding one. It is a book that has had a profound impact on the development of Western political thought, and it continues to be relevant today.

If you are interested in learning more about Locke's political philosophy, I recommend reading the following:

  • Two Treatises on Civil Government by John Locke
  • Locke: Political Writings edited by David Wootton
  • Locke's Two Treatises of Government: A Critical Edition edited by Peter Laslett
  • Locke's Political Philosophy by John Dunn
  • The Political Thought of John Locke by James Tully

I hope this blog post has given you a brief introduction to John Locke's Two Treatises on Civil Government. If you are interested in learning more, I encourage you to read the book itself or one of the many excellent secondary sources that are available.

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