John Locke and the Second Treatise of Civil Government

John Locke was one of the greatest political philosophers in history. This authoritative biography presents his life and works at a middle school reading level. Coverage of Locke’s formative academic years and political exile drives the reader toward an understanding of the historical circumstances that influenced his political thought. An analysis of key passages from Locke’s Two Treatises of Government follows, outlining concepts such as separation of powers and the social contract. These ideas are then framed in the context of early American political thought with excerpts from Paine’s Common Sense, the Declaration of Independence, and the U.S. Constitution.