Second Treatise of Government
The Second Treatise of Government is John Locke's argument for political authority founded on consent. Published anonymously in 1689, it describes people in a state of nature possessing rights to life, liberty and property, explains how labor creates ownership, and argues that governments exist only to protect those rights. When rulers break that trust, the people may resist and replace them. Locke writes plainly and in short numbered sections, and his ideas on the separation of powers, majority rule and the right of revolution passed almost directly into the American Declaration of Independence. Read alongside Hobbes, the Treatise shows how much turns on what one assumes about human beings before there were laws. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
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Frequently asked questions about Second Treatise of Government
Second Treatise of Government by John Locke can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Second Treatise of Government online?
Yes. Second Treatise of Government opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Second Treatise of Government free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Second Treatise of Government is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Second Treatise of Government in the public domain?
Yes. Second Treatise of Government by John Locke is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Second Treatise of Government?
About 3 h 46 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Second Treatise of Government?
Second Treatise of Government by John Locke is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
