Two Treatises of Government (English: Two Treatises of Government) is John Locke’s work on the origin and role of the state in society, on a “civilized” form of government as opposed to a despotic monarchy—laying the foundation for the idea of civil society. Published anonymously in 1689. For this work, John Locke is considered the father of political liberalism.
In the first treatise, Locke criticizes Filmer’s idea that unlimited power of the monarch is sanctioned by God. Accepting such theses would lead only to slavery.