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Start giftingTwo Treatises of Government
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Learn moreOften considered the foundation of political liberalism, John Locke's Two Treatises of Government was first published anonymously in 1689, in the wake of England's Glorious Revolution. In The First Treatise of Government, Locke refutes the idea of divine monarchy, while The Second Treatise of Government articulates Locke's philosophy of government, which he based upon his theories of natural rights and the social contract. In Locke's view, governments' legitimacy is based upon their performance of their proper functions—preservation of the life, liberty, and property rights of their citizens, and protection from those who seek to violate these rights.
A radical doctrine at the time of its publication, Locke's theories provided a philosophical basis for many of the principles behind the American Revolution. More than 300 years after the publication of the Two Treatises of Government, Locke's ideas continue to spark debate. A must-listen for anyone interested in the foundations of contemporary political ideology, Locke's hugely influential work will retain its relevance for generations to come.
John Locke (1632-1704) was a British political philosopher who is often cited as the father of political liberalism. He studied medicine at Oxford University and became closely associated with the Earl of Shaftesbury, whose life he saved with a skillful operation. His best known works include A Letter Concerning Toleration, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, and Two Treatises of Government. Considered one of the first of the British empiricists and one of the most influential of the Enlightenment thinkers, his work was hugely important in the development of the social contract theory of government and influenced such later philosophers as Voltaire, Rousseau, Hume, and Kant. Two Treatises of Government in particular informed many of the principles behind the American Revolution, and its influence can particularly be seen in the Declaration of Independence.
James Langton trained as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. An AudioFile Earphones Award winner, he has performed many voice-overs and narrated numerous audiobooks, including the international bestseller The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud by Julia Navarro, The Virtues of War by Steven Pressfield, and The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan. He is also a professional musician who led the internationally renowned Pasadena Roof Orchestra from 1996 to 2002. James was born in York, England, and is now based in New York City.