John Locke, the Philosopher (1632-1704)

What we have to thank our cousin for:

   "Locke exercised enormous influence in both England and America.
    In his Two Treatises of Government (1690), Locke set forth the 
    view that the state exists to preserve the natural rights of
    its citizens. When governments fail in that task, citizens have
    the right and sometimes the duty to withdraw their support and 
    even to rebel. 

    Locke maintained that the state of nature was a happy and
    tolerant one, that the social contract preserved the preexistent
    natural rights of the individual to life, liberty, and property,
    and that the enjoyment of private rights the pursuit of happiness
    led, in civil society, to the common good. 

    Locke's notion of government was a limited one: the checks
    and balances among branches of government (later reflected in
    the US Constitution) and true representation in the legislature
    would maintain limited government and individual liberties. 

    A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689) expressed Locke's view that,
    within certain limits, no one should dictate the form of
    another's religion. "

Go to The rest of the story of John Locke...

last edited 02/18/97