The Selected Political Writings of John Locke (Norton Critical Editions) [Paperback]

John Locke (Author), Paul E. Sigmund (Editor), Paul Sigmund (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393964515 | ISBN-13: 978-0393964516 | Publication Date: May 17, 2005

John Locke’s revolutionary writings created a sea change in political theory and, eventually, in liberal democracy in practice.

His political thought inspired and helped to justify the American Revolution and deeply influenced the American constitution, and his arguments in favor of human rights, political equality, and government by consent are now accepted worldwide.

This comprehensive collection is the only student edition of Locke’s writings that includes, in addition to his pioneering political texts, selections from his ethical, epistemological, and religious writings.

"Sources" includes writings by the major political theorists who influenced Locke, including Richard Hooker, Hugo Grotius, and Thomas Hobbes.

Twenty-one "Interpretations" cover the major critical comments and controversies surrounding Locke’s political thought, including work by Leo Strauss, C. B. Macpherson, Alan Ryan, Ruth Grant, and Jeremy Waldron.

A Selected Bibliography is also included.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul E. Sigmund is Professor of Politics at Princeton University. He is the author of numerous books, including The Ideologies of the Developing Nations, Natural Law in Political Thought, The Overthrow of Allende and the Politics of Chile, and Liberation Theology at the Crossroads. He is the translator and editor of the Norton Critical Edition of St. Thomas Aquinas on Politics and Ethics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (May 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393964515
• ISBN-13: 978-0393964516
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He defines what it means to be civilized!, April 24, 2006

By 

C Brunner "crbpe" (Ashburn, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Selected Political Writings of John Locke (Norton Critical Editions) (Paperback)

John Locke has more influence on Western political culture than just providing Jefferson with his ideas and words for the Declaration of independence. Through his writings, particularly through his Second Treatise and Social Contract, he defines what it means to be civilized.

Combatants and non-combatants, criminals and soldiers, he presents a clarity that is missing in today's political world. If only our political leaders, and members of the press would read Locke . . there would be less ambiguity on who is and who is not deserving of our attention. As an example, non-combatants have never given their permission to be a potential target, and anyone not respecting this fact is a criminal. Period.

Some of his writings may no longer be relevant, such as his arguments against divine rights of kings, and he may be too idealistic in his expectations that people will only take what they need, but he was writing over 300 years ago, within a political climate quite different than at the present time, and at least some of his remarks should be placed in this perspective.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Table of Contents would be helpful, November 22, 2007

By 

R. J. Stokes (Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Selected Political Writings of John Locke (Norton Critical Editions) (Paperback)

Locke's work remains of enduring value. The accompanying academic writings are incisive, providing a variety of perspectives from different theoretical biases. This comprehensive work offers the solid base for a mature appreciation of Locke's accomplishments and weaknesses.

That said, the book suffers from two grievous flaws. First, the font is exceptionally small; get high-powered reading glasses. Second, and more damning -- especially for a compendium, there is no table of contents. This reflects poorly upon the publisher. For those reasons, I knock off the stars.

Content - 5 stars
Presentation - 2 stars

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Representative Thinker in Anglo-American Tradition, March 20, 2010

By 

Michael A Neulander "Political Philosophy" (VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Selected Political Writings of John Locke (Norton Critical Editions) (Paperback)

I read this book for a graduate class on political philosophy. I love Norton Critical Edition's for all their insightful commentary.

John Locke (1632-1704) wrote "Second Treatise of Government" in 1690, it was the main political philosophical source that our "Founding Fathers" went to in writing the "Declaration of Independence" and in forming our government. I think you should know something of Locke to understand what influenced his thinking. His father was a small landowner, attorney, Puritan and his political sympathies were with the Cromwell Parliament. Like Hobbes, Locke attended Oxford Univ. and did not think much about the curriculum or his professors. Most of his education came from reading books in the Univ. library. Renee Descartes and Sir Isaac Newton's writings greatly influenced Locke. Like Hobbes, he took a tutoring job teaching the son of the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, and traveled Europe. His friendship with the Earl was beneficial in obtaining government appointments. During the political unrest in England, (1679-83) he fled to Holland because his liberal notions put him at odds with the government.

Locke writes the "Second Treatise of Government" to justify the Revolt of 1688 and the ascension of William of Orange to the English throne. The book argues against two lines of absolutist ideas. The first is Sir Robert Filmer's "patriarchal theory of divine right of kings; secondly, Hobbes argument for the sovereign's absolute power in his book "Leviathan." Locke argues that government emanates from the people. Locke's treatise rests like other political writings on its interpretation of human nature. He sees our nature opposite the way Hobbes did, decent and not as selfish or competitive. Man is more inclined to join society through reason and not fear. Man prefers stability to change.

His very important contribution to "law of nature" theory was his bias toward individualism. In state of nature, before government, men were free independent, equal enjoying inalienable rights "chief among them being life, liberty, and property." Where have you read that before? Property rights receive much attention in this treatise. Locke argues that government based on consent of man can still preserve freedom independence and equality.

His political writing had immediate influence in the world and influenced our founding fathers in their struggle against tyranny. He is an excellent writer and his theories are easy to understand by the laymen. As a graduate student of political philosophy, I recommend if you have an interest in politics, philosophy, or government then you must read Locke's "Second Treatise of Government"