How Did John Locke Influence The Idea Of Self Government

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John Locke was an English philosopher and physician. He is commonly known as the "Father of Liberalism". He was educated at Westminster School, London, then went on to university at Christ Church, Oxford. He received a master’s degree in 1658. He is the most important and influential philosopher of the enlightenment era. He believed that people were born with three natural rights; life, liberty, and property; He favored the idea of self government and criticized absolute monarchy; He is credited for being the foundation of modern democracy. John Locke is important because he influenced the idea of natural rights. According to Locke, all people are born free and equal. Locke said that the purpose of government is to protect these rights. His writings inspired much of the American Revolution. In the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson, he included the theory made by John Locke that all people had natural rights. The idea of individualism grew In the 17th century, the natural law doctrines were being modified to strain the fact that an individual is a natural being who have rights that shouldn't be violated by or taken away by anyone. John Locke influenced the idea of self government. Self government is a system in which citizens within a country rule themselves and control their own affairs. John Locke said that monarchs …show more content…

In Locke's conception, a proper government consists of three distinct and separate powers, the legislative, executive and federative power of the commonwealth. The legislative power, have the authority over how the force of the commonwealth shall be employed. The executive power, is in charge with enforcing the law as it applies to certain cases. The federative power consists of the right to act internationally, according to the law of nature. Locke advocated separation of powers and believed that revolution is not only a right but an obligation in certain