John Locke

This work is the second in the Routledge Series of Critical Assessments of Leading Political Philosophers. The series presents a comprehensive selection of the critical literature commenting on the life and works of a major political philosopher. John Locke (1632-1704) is crucially important because his political philosophy was the first to develop the principles on which American Independence, the American Constitution and the French Revolution were based. In particular, he stressed the ideas that sovereignty lies with the people; that government is based on a free contract between people which can be subsequently modified; and that as high a degree of religious toleration as possible should be allowed. John Locke also wrote extensively on other aspects of philosophy, on education, and on religion. The present volumes provide students of politics and philosophy with immediate access to Locke's contribution and show how his work has been received and modified by others.