Two Treatises of Government Summary & Key Insights

John Locke's Two Treatises of Government, edited by Peter Laslett and with commentary by Raymond Geuss (implied by the inclusion of their names), is a foundational text in political philosophy. While lacking a traditional "plot" like a novel, the work argues powerfully for a limited government based on natural rights and consent of the governed. The "characters" are abstract—individuals in a state of nature and within a structured society.

The First Treatise primarily functions as a refutation of Robert Filmer's patriarchal theory of divine right monarchy, arguing against the idea of hereditary, absolute power derived from Adam. Locke systematically dismantles Filmer's arguments, showing inconsistencies and historical inaccuracies in his claims of a divinely ordained king with absolute authority over his subjects. This serves as crucial groundwork for the positive arguments presented in the Second Treatise.

The Second Treatise is the more substantial and influential of the two. It begins by exploring the state of nature, a condition before government where individuals are governed by natural law. This natural law dictates that all individuals possess inherent rights, particularly the rights to life, liberty, and property. Crucially, Locke asserts that these rights pre-exist government and cannot be legitimately violated by it. He argues that individuals voluntarily surrender some of their rights to form a government to better protect the remaining rights—primarily the right to property—which he sees as fundamental to human flourishing.

Locke envisions a social contract, where individuals agree to abide by the rules and laws of a government in exchange for protection and security. However, this contract is not absolute; it is conditional upon the government upholding its end of the bargain. If the government fails to protect the natural rights of its citizens, or attempts to usurp them, the people have a right to alter or abolish that government and establish a new one. This justification for revolution is a cornerstone of Locke's political philosophy and has had a profound impact on subsequent political thought, notably influencing the American and French Revolutions.

The key theme is the defense of individual liberty against arbitrary authority. Locke emphasizes the importance of limited government with clearly defined powers, subject to the rule of law and accountable to the people. He advocates for a separation of powers, legislative, executive, and federative, although these aren't precisely defined as they would later be by Montesquieu. He also champions the right to property as a crucial component of liberty and the basis for a thriving society, arguing that private property is not only a natural right but essential for individual freedom and economic prosperity. Ultimately, Two Treatises of Government presents a powerful case for individual rights, limited government, and the right of revolution, making it a cornerstone of liberal political thought.