The Two Treatises of Government Author:John Locke John Locke was a 17th century English philosopher who was considered to be one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers. Locke wrote on many different subjects including politics, religion, and education and he influenced other legendary philosophers including Voltaire and Rousseau. The Two Treatises of Government are works of political ... more »philosophy that Locke published anonymously in 1689. In The First Treatise of Government, Locke attacked patriarchalism as a refutation to Robert Filmer's Patriarcha. In The Second Treatise of Government, Locke presents his ideas for a better society based on natural rights and contract theory.« less