Summary

Often considered the foundation of political liberalism, John Locke's Two Treatises of Government was first published anonymously in 1689, in the wake of England's Glorious Revolution. In The First Treatise of Government, Locke refutes the idea of divine monarchy, while The Second Treatise of Government articulates Locke's philosophy of government, which he based upon his theories of natural rights and the social contract. In Locke's view, governments' legitimacy is based upon their performance of their proper functions---preservation of the life, liberty, and property rights of their citizens, and protection from those who seek to violate these rights. A radical doctrine at the time of its publication, Locke's theories provided a philosophical basis for many of the principles behind the American Revolution. More than 300 years after the publication of the Two Treatises of Government, Locke's ideas continue to spark debate. A must-listen for anyone interested in the foundations of contemporary political ideology, Locke's hugely influential work will retain its relevance for generations to come.
Public Domain (P)2011 Tantor
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5 out of 5 stars
By Travis on 09-07-12

Don't let the title scare you off!

What did you love best about Two Treatises of Government?

I discovered that John Locke has a wonderful sense of humor!

What other book might you compare Two Treatises of Government to and why?

There are so many books that draw from this book for their material. Most "conservative" books quote from this one several times in order to make their case for limited government.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, but it is a lot of information to take in all at once so it took me a couple weeks to get through and process what I learned.

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5 of 5 people found this review helpful

5 out of 5 stars
By michael on 20-10-11

It's easy to understand why this book is so import

This is an important book that probably had a profound influence on the framers of the American government. In it John Locke totally debunks the divine right of kings. He makes the whole idea look beyond absurd, and he does so using the same bible verses that defended the idea in the first place. Locke also lays out the ideas that are so important to America, and to classical liberalism. These ideals are still important to any one who believes in political freedom and freedom from governmental oppression. From what I understand this book is the place to start as far as gaining an understanding of classical liberalism and modern libertarianism is concerned, and after listening to it you will be more enlightened.

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6 of 7 people found this review helpful

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