The Canon Library
Cover of Two Treatises of Government

Enlightenment · Political philosophy

Two Treatises of Government

by John Locke. Locke rejects absolute monarchy and grounds legitimate government in natural rights, consent, and the right of resistance.

Find a print edition

Browse Bookshop.org's current catalog to choose an available edition.

Some purchase links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Date
1689
Origin
England
Era
Enlightenment
Genre
Political philosophy
Canon tier
Essential core
Difficulty
Challenging
Length
Long
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

RightsConsentProperty

Why it matters

Locke rejects absolute monarchy and grounds legitimate government in natural rights, consent, and the right of resistance.

This work is included on the basis of great books. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

Related works

Book

Leviathan

Thomas Hobbes · Early Modern · Political philosophy

Reading paths featuring Two Treatises of Government

Continue through a deliberately ordered journey that places this work in conversation with others.

Reading path

Essential 100

A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.

Reading path

Political Thought

A guided argument about authority, liberty, equality, rights, and democratic life. 10 books · Advanced.