Publisher's Synopsis
Written in 1689, Locke's Two Treatises of Government disputes the logic of the "divine right of kings," and proceeds to develop a theory of society base on the ideas of natural rights and the social contract. Locke acknowledged the necessity of the state, but saw it primarily as a tool to promote the protection of people and property, as well as for the restraint of violence. Based on the consent of the governed, Locke's conception of government highlights the importance of accountability between government and citizen. This special edition also includes the text of the Magna Charta - one of the foundations of English law, Locke's Letter Concerning Toleration, and The Reasonableness of Christianity.
