Two Treatises of Government - A Concise Review and Summary


The liberal interpretation of the concept of a social contract, Two Treatises of Government was published in 1689 anonymously due to its anti-monarchical content. It was at its core a cry for tolerance and liberty; Locke felt that diversity encouraged harmony and tolerance, whereas his predecessor Hobbes felt the presence of a wide range of beliefs would foster animosity and conflict. It also discusses unjust government, and whether we have the right to overthrow a higher authority that is acting to our detriment.

"As usurpation is the exercise of power which another has a right to, so tyranny is the exercise of power beyond right, which nobody can have a right to."

The 1st treatise was an explicitly stated refutation and