John Locke (jan 1, 1632 – jan 1, 1704)

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He formulated one of the most influential theories of contractual government. In his second Treatise of Civil Government, published in 1690, Locke held that government arose in the remote past when people decided to work together, form civil society, and appoint rulers to protect and promote their common interests.
The English philosopher worked to discover the natural laws of politics. He attacked theories that promoted the idea that monarchs had a divine right to rule and, instead, advocated constitutional government because sovereignty resides in the people rather than the state or its rulers. He provided much of the theoretical justification for the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in England.

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