Locke natural rights life liberty property

He expressed the radical view that government is morally obliged to serve people by protecting life, liberty and property.

He explained the principle of checks and balances to limit government power. He favored representative government and a rule of law. He denounced tyranny. He insisted that when government violates individual rights, people may legitimately rebel.

These views were most fully expressed in Locke’s famous Second Treatise Concerning Civil Government, and they were so radical that he never dared sign his name to it.

Locke natural rights life liberty property john locke

He acknowledged authorship only in his will. Locke’s writings did much to inspire the libertarian ideals of the American Revolution. This, in turn, set an example which inspired people throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Thomas Jefferson ranked Locke, along with Locke’s compatriot Algernon Sidney, as the most important thinkers on liberty.

Locke helped inspire Thomas Paine’s rad