Two Treatises of Government
by John Locke
Two Treatises of Government (1689) was one of Locke's most influential works on social contract theory, inspiring American revolutionaries, in particular. We feature his Second Treatise on Government, Book II, in which he addresses the states of civil government, nature, war, slavery, property, political societies, and tyranny. Visit American History for others
Book II - Chapter I - An Essay Concerning the True Original, Extent and End of Civil Government
Chapter II - Of the State of Nature
Chapter III - Of the State of War
Chapter VI - Of Paternal Power
Chapter VII - Of Political or Civil Society
Chapter VIII - Of the Beginning of Political Societies
Chapter IX - Of the Ends of Political Society and Government
Chapter X - Of the Forms of a Common-wealth
Chapter XI - Of the Extent of the Legislative Power
Chapter XII - Of the Legislative, Executive, and Federative Powers of the Common-wealth
Chapter XIII - Of the Subordination of Powers of the Common-wealth
Chapter XV - Of Paternal, Political, and Despotical Power, Considered Together
Chapter XIX - Of the Dissolution of Government