The Enlightenment-era belief in natural rights, including life, liberty, and property. Locke argued that government should protect these rights and that people had the right to overthrow a government that didn't fulfill its obligations.
Related terms
Enlightenment: An intellectual movement during the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, individualism, and human progress.
Social Contract: A theory suggesting that individuals give up some of their freedoms in exchange for protection and benefits provided by a governing authority.
Natural Rights: Inherent rights belonging to every human being from birth, such as life, liberty, and property.