Second Treatise of Government

by

John Locke

Themes and Colors
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
The Dissolution of Government Theme Icon
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Nature, War, and Civil Society

In 1689, English philosopher John Locke anonymously published his political work Two Treatises of Government. Broken into two separate essays, Two Treatises argues the illegitimate nature of patriarchalism—the belief in the absolute power of the monarchy—and offers other approaches for a civilized society. In the Second Treatise of Government, Locke begins his argument with the state of nature, or the way of life of humankind prior to the advent of civil society…

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Power and Absolute Monarchies

While it is John Locke’s First Treatise of Government that is primarily concerned with refuting the idea of patriarchalism, or the belief in the absolute power of monarchies, Locke does not ignore the monarchy in the Second Treatise of Government. Locke frequently refers to Sir Robert Filmer, a 17th-century philosopher, whose 1680 publication of Patriarcha advocates the absolute power of kings and the monarchy, and Locke vehemently rejects Filmer’s understanding of power…

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The Dissolution of Government

As Locke’s Second Treatise of Government outlines the ways in which a civil society can be created and maintained through a formal government, he also outlines the ways in which a government can be dissolved. Locke is quick to point out that the dissolution of government is not the same as the dissolution of society. A society, which is created through consent and agreement into a common-wealth, can exist without government; however, government…

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