The key political philosopher behind the principles of democracy and representative government is John Locke. His work emphasized the idea of the social contract, where governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed. Locke argued for the protection of natural rights, including life, liberty, and property, influencing democratic ideals. His writings inspired the American Revolution and the French Revolution, advocating for a government accountable to its citizens. Locke's philosophies laid the intellectual foundation for modern democratic thought, shaping the structures that support and uphold individual freedoms.