John Locke's *"Second Treatise of Government"* (1689) presents key ideas on political theory: - **State of Nature**: Humans have natural rights to life, liberty, and property in a state of perfect freedom and equality. - **Social Contract**: Governments are formed by mutual consent to protect these rights, and their legitimacy comes from the people's consent. - **Government Structure**: Advocates for separation of powers between legislative and executive branches to prevent abuse. - **Property Rights**: Property is acquired through labor and must be used responsibly, with limits to ensure resources are available for others. - **Right to Revolt**: People have the right to overthrow a government that fails to protect their rights or acts tyrannically. Locke's treatise provides a foundational argument for democracy and the protection of individual rights.
