
'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. About The Series: For Over 100 Years Oxford World's Classics Has Made Available The Widest Range Of Literature From Around The Globe. Each Affordable Volume Reflects Oxford's Commitment To Scholarship, Providing The Most Accurate Text Plus A Wealth Of Other Valuable Features, Including Expert Introductions By Leading Authorities, Helpful Notes To Clarify The Text, Up-to-date Bibliographies For Further Study, And Much More.
This work investigates the fundamental requirements for legitimate government and the necessity of religious tolerance within a stable society. John Locke, a foundational figure in Enlightenment political thought, argues that political authority is derived solely from the consent of the governed. He posits that the primary purpose of government is the protection of natural rights, specifically life, liberty, and property, while advocating for the separation of ecclesiastical and civil power to ensure freedom of conscience.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts recognize this volume as a foundational text for understanding modern liberal political theory and the development of human rights. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which requires careful study to fully grasp the nuances of Locke's arguments.
Page Count:
240
Publication Date:
2016-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0191046272
ISBN-13:
9780191046278
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