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Two Treatises of Government

Definition

The "Two Treatises of Government" is a work written by John Locke which argues against absolute monarchy and advocates for a society based on natural rights where government power comes from the consent of the governed.

Analogy

Imagine if your class decided who would be class president by voting instead of having it automatically be the teacher's pet. That’s what "Two Treatises of Government" promotes – power should come from those being governed (the students), not just handed down arbitrarily (to teacher’s pet).

Related terms

Consent of the Governed: This principle means that government gets its authority from its citizens - like getting permission from your parents before going to a party.

Absolute Monarchy: This is a form of government where the monarch has absolute power among his or her people - like if your teacher had total control over every aspect of your school life, from what you learn to when you can go to the bathroom.

Political Philosophy: This is a branch of philosophy that studies questions about government, including the nature and justification of political authority - like debating whether it's fair for seniors to have more privileges than freshmen.