Which Enlightenment thinker argued that people are sovereign and consent to government for the protection of natural rights such as life, liberty, and property?

Which Enlightenment thinker argued that people are sovereign and consent to government for the protection of natural rights such as life, liberty, and property?

• A. John Locke
• B. Montesquieu
• C. Rousseau
• D. Voltaire

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is that government arises from the consent of the governed to protect natural rights. John Locke argued that in the state of nature people possess inherent rights—life, liberty, and property—and form a social contract to establish a government whose sole purpose is to safeguard those rights. Because the authority of government comes from the people’s consent, its powers are limited and legitimate only as long as it protects those rights. If the government fails to do so, the people retain the right to alter or abolish it. This view helped shape liberal political philosophy and influenced the thinking behind the American Revolution. John Locke is the thinker who articulated this perspective.

The idea being tested is that government arises from the consent of the governed to protect natural rights. John Locke argued that in the state of nature people possess inherent rights—life, liberty, and property—and form a social contract to establish a government whose sole purpose is to safeguard those rights. Because the authority of government comes from the people’s consent, its powers are limited and legitimate only as long as it protects those rights. If the government fails to do so, the people retain the right to alter or abolish it. This view helped shape liberal political philosophy and influenced the thinking behind the American Revolution. John Locke is the thinker who articulated this perspective.