Die two treatises of government deutsch zwei abhandlungen uber die regierung englisch auch two treatises of government in the former the false principles and foundation of sir robert filmer and his followers are detected and overthrown the latter is an essay concerning the true original extent and end of civil government bilden ein werk . Two treatises of government or two treatises of government in the former the false principles and foundation of sir robert filmer and his followers are detected and overthrownthe latter is an essay concerning the true original extent and end of civil government is a work of political philosophy published anonymously in 1689 by john locke. Two treatises of government major statement of the political philosophy of the english philosopher john locke published in 1689 the first treatise is a refutation of the theory of the divine right of kings and the second is a philosophical treatment of the origins and limits of political authority. John locke john locke two treatises of government when shaftesbury failed to reconcile the interests of the king and parliament he was dismissed in 1681 he was arrested tried and finally acquitted of treason by a london jury a year later he fled to holland where in 1683 he died none of shaftesburys known friends was now safe in england locke himself who was being closely watched crossed to holland in september 1683 out of this context emerged lockes major work in