Two Treatises of Government

John Locke was one of the greatest philosophers of all time, a man whose very life and work are a monument to the efficacy of reason. While Locke wrote very significant things in all areas of philosophy, in no respect was he more innovative, radical or on target than in political philosophy. Locke is the philosophical father of America.

It is an unhappy fact that, like most great classics, Locke’s greatest works in political philosophy, the Two Treatises of Government, has gone unread by the vast majority of Americans. Even most libertarians who are familiar with Locke have never read the Treatises themselves, but rather only condensed versions, or commentaries—usually by unsympathetic minds.

This happy edition of Locke’s Treatises cannot be recommended too highly. For between these covers is not only the complete text of Locke’s Two Treatises, with notes by Peter Laslett, but a far-reaching introduction by Laslett as well, with 135 pages of information and analysis of Locke’s work. But the Laslett introduction should not be the focus here—it too contains many errors of interpretation—except for one fact: Laslett has discovered some lost manuscripts which show that Locke’s Second Treatise was not written in 1688, rationalizing the Revolution of 1688, as had been previously believed by historians. In fact, Locke wrote the Second Treatise ten years earlier; Laslett thus shows that, far from being a reaction to the Revolution, Locke’s work was instead a cause of the Revolution and was a far more radical document than is normally believed.

Locke’s First Treatise is an attack on the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings and is merely a preliminary work to the more significant Second Treatise. The Second Treatise is still one of the greatest libertarian works ever penned, though it is not without its share of errors and omissions. Locke covers most of the significant issues in political theory: the state of nature—the state of war—the nature of political power—the nature of property rights—the justification of government—slavery—paternal power—the nature of political society—how governments originate (the famous “social contract” doctrine)—the proper functions of government—the power of the legislature and executive—the nature of despotism—conquest—usurpation—tyranny—and the dissolution of government. The similarities to contemporary libertarian thought—including such figures as Ayn Rand and Murray Rothbard—are amazing.

This is a work which every libertarian should own and should read. Far from being difficult, it is written in a brilliantly clear and straightforward manner, free of technical jargon. Reading it—or rereading it—one is instantly aware of what makes such a work a “classic.” For to be a “classic” does not mean that the work is obscure, or that it is old; it means simply that it is as relevant today as ever and has a great deal to say to today’s world. Locke not only presented the insights which led to the founding of America; he has presented the major insights which are necessary to sustain America and to preserve liberty.

Reviewed by R. A. Childs, Jr. / Political Philosophy (576 pages, Indexed) / BFL Price $1.75