The Theory of Government Part One

Author: (English) Locke, translated by Qu Ju'nan and Ye Qifang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Locke's Two Treatises of Civil Government were successively written and published in 1689 and 1690. Its fundamental purpose lies in defending and theoretically summarizing the so-called "Glorious Revolution" that had just ended in England in 1688. The first treatise focuses on refuting the reactionary arguments of the royalist Filmer, who advocated the divine right of kings and hereditary monarchy. The second treatise, on the other hand, elaborates on Locke's own political theory of the parliamentary system. It is generally recognized that the second treatise holds greater theoretical value. Therefore, in the 1960s, we first published the translation of the second treatise, accompanied by a lengthy preface. Now, we are publishing the translation of the first treatise to complete the entire work, for the reference of the academic community. This book is an important political theory work by the 17th-century English thinker Locke, and the second treatise has been included in this series for publication. The main content of the first treatise is to refute the theory of the contemporary British royalist Filmer, who upheld the authority of the monarchy, while advocating the sovereignty of the people.