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Two Treatises of Government

Two Treatises of Government

by John Locke

Locke critiques the concepts of absolute monarchy and divine right, arguing instead for a government founded on natural rights, individual freedom, and the consent of the governed, which protects the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and property.

Languages
English·Español
License
Public Domain
Originally published
1690
Latest release
Oct 9, 2026
Pages
316
Format
6 × 9 in (152 × 229 mm)
Book type
Paperback nonfiction
Read
Public page

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Table of Contents

  1. Preface
  2. Book I: Of Government
  3. I. Of Slavery
  4. II. Of Paternal and Regal Power
  5. III. Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty by Creation
  6. IV. Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty, by Donation, Gen. 1:28
  7. V. Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty, by the Subjection of Eve
  8. VI. Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty by Fatherhood
  9. VII. Of Fatherhood and Property Considered Together as Fountains of Sovereignty
  10. VIII. Of the Conveyance of Adam’s Sovereign Monarchical Power
  11. IX. Of Monarchy, by Inheritance from Adam
  12. Of the Heir to Adam’s Monarchical Power
  13. XI. Who Heir?
  14. Book II: Of Civil Government
  15. I. Of Power
  16. II. Of the State of Nature
  17. III. Of the State of War
  18. IV. Of Slavery
  19. V. Of Property
  20. VI. Of Paternal Power
  21. VII. Of Political or Civil Society
  22. VIII. Of the Beginning of Political Societies
  23. Of the Ends of Political Society and Government
  24. Of the Forms of a Commonwealth
  25. XI. Of the Extent of the Legislative Power
  26. XII. Of the Legislative, Executive, and Federative Power of the Commonwealth
  27. XIII. Of the Subordination of the Powers of the Commonwealth
  28. XIV. Of Prerogative
  29. XV. Of Paternal, Political, and Despotical Power, Considered Together
  30. XVI. Of Conquest
  31. XVII. Of Usurpation
  32. XVIII. Of Tyranny
  33. XIX. Of the Dissolution of Government