Two Treatises of Government

Historical Context and Significance

John Locke's «Two Treatises of Government», published in 1689, is one of the foundational works in the history of political philosophy. It played a key role in the development of liberalism and the concept of human rights. Locke rejected the theory of the divine right of kings and proposed the idea of a social contract, according to which the power of rulers should be based on the consent of the governed. He also developed the concept of natural rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property, which he believed are inalienable and should be protected by the state. These ideas had a significant impact on the formation of political systems in Europe and America, especially in the context of the Glorious Revolution and the subsequent American Revolution. Locke's influence is evident in the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution, as well as in other documents related to human rights and democratic governance. His works laid the foundation for the development of modern concepts of the rule of law and civil liberties, making them relevant even today.