Liberalism key thinkers

John Locke

Overview:

• he pre-dates the term 'liberal' and is therefore better known as the father of 'whig' philosophy
• he was involved in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 that established the sovereignty of parliament over law-making

Ideas:

• believed that government had to be established by consent, respect the natural rights of its citizens and govern according to natural laws
• no government could claim its legitmacy from God or nature, the only political authority for rulers could come from the people
• such governments must be limited and must respect people's natural rights
• he identified such…