'Man being born...to perfect freedom...hath by nature a power...to preserve his property, that is, his life, liberty and estate.'
Locke's Second Treatise of Government (1689) is one of the great classics of political philosophy, widely regarded as the foundational text of modern liberalism. In it Locke insists on majority rule, and regards no government as legitimate unless it has the consent of the people. He sets aside people's ethnicities, religions, and cultures and envisages political societies which command our assent because they meet our elemental needs simply as humans. His work helped to entrench ideas of a social contract, human rights, and protection of property as the guiding principles for just actions and just societies.
Published in the same year, A Letter Concerning Toleration aimed to end Christianity's wars of religion and called for the separation of church and state so that everyone could enjoy freedom of conscience. In this edition of these two major works, Mark Goldie considers the contested nature of Locke's reputation, which is often appropriated by opposing political and religious ideologies.
By:
John Locke Edited by:
Mark Goldie (University of Cambridge) Imprint: Worlds Classics Country of Publication: United Kingdom Dimensions:
Height: 196mm,
Width: 128mm,
Spine: 15mm
Weight: 192g ISBN:9780198732440 ISBN 10: 0198732449 Series:Oxford World's Classics Publication Date:23 June 2016 Audience:
College/higher education
,
A / AS level
,
Further / Higher Education
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active