Your Politics Guide

John Locke (1632-1704) is known as the "Father of Classical Liberalism." His ideas laid the foundations for liberalism through his emphasis on individual rights and limited government.

Natural Rights: Locke argued that all individuals possess natural rights to life, liberty and property. These are rights which exist independent of government.
Social Contract: Government is formed by the consent of the people. People agree to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection of their rights.
Limited Government: The state should be restricted to protecting rights through maintaining order. If government fails, citizens have the right to rebel as the social contract is broken.
Tolerance: Locke promoted religious tolerance and the separation of church and state.
Rule of Law: The law should apply equally to all.

Locke's ideas can be arguably said to have inspired the American and French Revolutions and the development of constitutional government.
His writings are often said to have influenced key documents such as the US Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
Locke is seen as a key figure in the Enlightenment and the development of liberal thought.

Two Treatises of Government (1689) - Outlines his theory of the social contract.

John Locke

Key Ideas

Influence

Key Works