Major work is Second Treatise on Government
Argues the people have the right (even the duty) to revolt against an unjust government
His emphasis on the importance of education in a free people led to calls for public schooling
Most government is the result of conquest and force, not consent of the people
Democracy is corrupted by demands for complete equality in all matters
democracy is corrupted by a spirit of inequality - the acceptance that legally some are better than others
Republican citizens must be trained in public virtue, well-educated, and of relatively similar wealth
Ideals of justice are based on what is useful to us: it is "just" if it serves our interest and "unjust" if it hurts us
Government rests on utility and self-interest, not consent of the people
Factions (like political parties) lead to revolutions and civil wars
In a state of nature, all men are born free, equal, and autonomous
sovereignty is temporarily granted to government: can always be withdrawn
Men create a social contract (government) to live together peacefully
Sovereignty always remains with the people it is not granted to government
Purpose of government is to protect us from constant state of war & abuses of others
Men create social contracts (governments) to avoid the "inconveniences" of independence
Emphasis on rule of law, majoritarianism, and separation of powers
Without a powerful central government, life is the "war of all versus all"
Builds on Hobbes' idea of all men being free and equal in state of nature
Emphasis on tripartite government: three branches are legislative, executive, and judicial
