Two Treatises of Government

Two Treatises of Government is a pivotal work of political philosophy that introduced democratic principles to an audience under English monarchy, advocating for individual rights to freedom and property ownership. John Locke critiques the divine right of kings in his first treatise while exploring notions of natural rights and contractual government in the second. He posits that all individuals are born free and equal, forming the foundation for a government that protects life, liberty, and property. This influential text significantly shaped ideas that later informed the Declaration of Independence.