The second treatise of government; [print]
edited, with an introduction, by Thomas P. Peardon.
- Indianapolis, Bobbs-Merrill (c)1952.
- xxviii, 139 pages ; 21 cm.
- The Library of Liberal Arts ; no. 31 .
- Library of liberal arts. .
Originally published in the author's Two treatises of government under title: An essay concerning the true original extent and end of civil government.
I. The second treatise of government -- II. Of the state of nature -- III. Of the state of war -- IV. Of slavery -- V. Of property -- Virgin Islands Of paternal power -- Virgin IslandsI. Of political or civil society -- Virgin IslandsII. Of the beginning of political societies -- IX. Of the ends of political society and government -- X. Of the forms of a commonwealth -- XI. Of the extent of the legislative power -- XII. Of the legislative, executive, and federative power of the commonwealth -- XIII. Of the subordination of the powers of the commonwealth -- XIV. Of prerogative -- XV. Of paternal, political, and despotical power considered together -- XVI. Of conquest -- XVII. Of usurpation -- XVIII. Of tyranny -- XIX. Of the dissolution of government.
The political philosophy of the Second Treatise, like all political philosophies, rest upon an interpretation of human nature. Locke viewed man as a pretty decent fellow, far removed from the quarrelsome, competitive, selfish creatures found in Hobbes. He has more inclination to society and is more governed by reason "the common rule and measure God has given to mankind". The rationality ascribed to man by Locke is a pervasive characteristic going beyond the cunning calculation of interests upon which Hobbes depended to induce individuals in the state of nature to inaugurate society by a compact after which they must be held in society largely by force. It could be relied upon to produce a good deal of order even without the sanctions of government and to help maintain government once it was set-up. This was especially so since Locke saw that man prefers stability to change. For "people are not so easily got out of their old forms as some are apt to suggest". --