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Second Treatise of Government Study Guide

by John Locke

Second Treatise of Government study guide contains a biography of John Locke, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

In the Second Treatise of Government, John Locke discusses men’s move from a state of nature characterized by perfect freedom and governed by reason to a civil government in which the authority is vested in a legislative and executive power. The major ideas developed throughout the text include popular sovereignty and the consent of the governed, the protection and limitations of property, the problems inherent in an absolute monarchy, and the ability of a people to dissolve their government if it does not adhere to the bond of trust established between the governed and governor.

The Treatise begins with a discussion of the state of nature. In this state, men are born equal to one another and have perfect liberty to maintain and order their…

Read the full Second Treatise of Government Summary

• Second Treatise of Government Summary
• About Second Treatise of Government
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Quotes and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter I
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter II: Of the State of Nature
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter III: Of the State of War
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter IV: Of Slavery
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter V: Of Property
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter VI: Of Paternal Power
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter VII: Of Political or Civil Society
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter VIII: Of the Beginning of Political Societies
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter IX: Of the Ends of Political Society and Government
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter X: Of the Forms of a Commonwealth, and Chapter XI: Of the Extent of Legislative Power
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter XII: Of the Legislative, Executive, and Federative Power of the Commonwealth, and Chapter XIII: Of the Subordination of the Powers of the Commonwealth
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter XIV: Of Prerogative, and Chapter XV: Of Paternal, Political, and Despotical Power, Considered Together
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter XVI: Of Conquest, and Chapter XVII: Of Usurpation
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter VIII: Of Tyranny
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter XIX: Of the Dissolution of Government
• Christ Church, Oxford
• Related Links on Second Treatise of Government
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Second Treatise of Government: Major Themes
• Second Treatise of Government: Essays
• Second Treatise of Government: E-Text
• Second Treatise of Government: Questions
• Second Treatise of Government: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• John Locke: Biography