John Locke was an English physician and philosopher, involved in the political disputes that led to the Glorious Revolution of 1688. He argued that everyone has natural rights to life, liberty and property, and that government exists to protect them. His ideas inspired American independence and liberal democracies.
Core ideas
Everyone is born with natural rights to life, liberty and property
Government depends on the consent of the people, who may rebel against tyranny
The mind is born as a blank slate and learns through experience
The tradition: Classical liberal
A classical liberal defends individual rights, limited government and religious toleration. Locke is considered the father of political liberalism.
