John Locke’s political philosophy emphasizes the notion of individual rights and the social contract. He argued that legitimate government derives its authority from the consent of the governed and exists primarily to protect the natural rights of individuals—namely, life, liberty, and property. Locke’s ideas laid the groundwork for modern democratic thought, suggesting that citizens have the right to revolt against governments that fail to uphold these rights. His influential concepts of governance, limited government, and the separation of powers have profoundly shaped Western political ideologies and frameworks.