John Locke was an influential Enlightenment philosopher whose writings greatly influenced American political thought. He advocated for natural rights, limited government, and the consent of the governed.
Related terms
Social Contract Theory: The idea that individuals voluntarily give up certain freedoms to form a society governed by a contract or agreement.
Natural Rights: Fundamental rights such as life, liberty, and property that are inherently possessed by every person according to Locke.
Limited Government: A system in which governmental powers are restricted through written constitutions or other means to protect individual liberties.