John Locke (1632–1704), widely regarded as the father of classical liberalism, laid the foundations of modern liberal political theory through his articulation of natural rights, property, and limited government in the Two Treatises of Government (1689). His philosophical orientation—grounded in empiricism, individual liberty, and social contract theory—profoundly shaped Enlightenment thinking, liberal constitutionalism, and the normative … Continue reading Critically examine John Locke’s philosophical orientation with specific reference to his theory of natural rights, property, and limited government, and evaluate the extent to which his political thought can be characterised as fundamentally individualistic within the liberal tradition.
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Critically assess John Locke’s contributions to the development of liberal political thought, with particular reference to his theories of natural rights, limited government, and consent, and evaluate why he is often regarded as the ‘father of liberalism’.
John Locke’s Contributions to Liberal Political Thought: Natural Rights, Limited Government, and the Legacy of Consent Introduction John Locke (1632–1704) stands as a foundational figure in the canon of Western political thought and is often celebrated as the "father of liberalism." His writings, especially the Two Treatises of Government (1689), provided a radical rethinking of … Continue reading Critically assess John Locke’s contributions to the development of liberal political thought, with particular reference to his theories of natural rights, limited government, and consent, and evaluate why he is often regarded as the ‘father of liberalism’.