A Defence of Liberty Against Tyrants

"A Defence of Liberty Against Tyrants" is a foundational treatise of early modern political philosophy that explores the limits of monarchical power and the rights of the governed. Attributed to the pseudonym Junius Brutus, this influential work addresses the crucial question of whether subjects are bound to obey a ruler who commands something contrary to the law of God or the well-being of the state. It develops the concept of a double covenant-one between God, the king, and the people, and another between the king and the people-to argue that royal authority is conditional rather than absolute.

The text is a cornerstone of resistance theory, asserting that when a sovereign becomes a tyrant and violates the fundamental laws of the land, the people have a legitimate right to resist. This edition features an insightful introduction by Harold J. Laski, which situates the work within its historical context and highlights its profound influence on the evolution of constitutionalism and the social contract. "A Defence of Liberty Against Tyrants" remains an essential resource for those interested in the historical struggle for religious and civil liberties, providing a rigorous intellectual framework for the protection of freedom against arbitrary rule.

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