How did the ideas of John Locke change the way people thought about government? (2 points)

Answer 1

John Locke's ideas significantly transformed political thought in several key ways:

1. Natural Rights and Government's Role: Locke argued that individuals possess inherent natural rights to life, liberty, and property. This idea shifted the focus of government from being an absolute authority to being a protector of these rights. Locke posited that the primary role of government is to safeguard these rights, which led to the concept of consent of the governed—suggesting that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of those they govern.

2. Social Contract Theory: Locke's theory of the social contract emphasized that governments are formed through the collective agreement of individuals to create a society that serves their interests. This challenged the notion of divine right monarchy and absolute rule, promoting the idea that authority derives from the people. Consequently, it inspired democratic principles and the idea that citizens have the right to revolt against governments that fail to uphold their rights, influencing later democratic movements and constitutions.