John Locke: founding father of modern-day liberalism policy. By analyzing each philosopher's ideology, we can identify which thinker's theory most reflects the liberalism of the modern era. For this article, I will argue that John Locke provides a more compelling framework for early modern liberalism because of his view of the state of nature, the social contract, and the function of government. Before explaining how Locke's philosophy reflects modern liberalism, it is important to first understand the characteristics that make up modern liberalism. Modern liberalism emphasizes the idea that individuals are of great importance in society, that each individual is, to some extent, equal to all other individuals, and that everyone has certain inalienable rights such than life and liberty. By examining the ideologies of each philosopher, we can see that John Locke played the most important role in the development of liberalism in the modern era. In Locke's book, The Second Treatise on Civil Government, he begins by describing the state of nature as a place where men exist in perfect freedom, where they are capable of pursuing their own ends, so long as they do not do not infringe on the equal freedom of others (II. 4-7). This limitation differentiates Locke from Hobbes. Hobbes argued that freedom and equality and the importance of individual rights allowed individuals in the state of nature to pursue their survival and interests without limitation (Leviathan, XII, p. 80). They had no obligation to respect the rights of others. This is why the state of nature, for Hobbes, was a state of war (Leviathan, XII, p. 79). While Locke believed that the individual... middle of paper ......at has had the most influence on modern liberalism is John Locke. Although Rousseau demonstrated some influence in the infrastructure of democracy, his ideology did not reflect modern-era liberalism as much as Locke. Furthermore, Thomas Hobbes had no influence on modern era liberalism due to his totalitarian outlook. It is clear that Locke's preference for individual liberty, representative democracy, and inalienable natural rights reveals his important role in the development of modern-day liberalism. Works Cited Hobbes, Leviathan, with an introduction by CB McPherson, Penguin Classics, first published 1968, ISBN 978014043157Locke, Political Writings, ed. David Wootton, (Hackett Publishing) 2003, ISBN: 978-080872206762Rousseau, Basic Political Writings, 2nd edition, translated by Donald A. Cross, (Hackett Publishing) 1987, ISBN: 978-08722200470

Essay / John Locke: founding father of modern-day liberalism policy. By analyzing each philosopher's ideology, we can identify which thinker's theory most reflects the liberalism of the modern era. For this article, I will argue that John Locke provides a more compelling framework for early modern liberalism because of his view of the state of nature, the social contract, and the function of government. Before explaining how Locke's philosophy reflects modern liberalism, it is important to first understand the characteristics that make up modern liberalism. Modern liberalism emphasizes the idea that individuals are of great importance in society, that each individual is, to some extent, equal to all other individuals, and that everyone has certain inalienable rights such than life and liberty. By examining the ideologies of each philosopher, we can see that John Locke played the most important role in the development of liberalism in the modern era. In Locke's book, The Second Treatise on Civil Government, he begins by describing the state of nature as a place where men exist in perfect freedom, where they are capable of pursuing their own ends, so long as they do not do not infringe on the equal freedom of others (II. 4-7). This limitation differentiates Locke from Hobbes. Hobbes argued that freedom and equality and the importance of individual rights allowed individuals in the state of nature to pursue their survival and interests without limitation (Leviathan, XII, p. 80). They had no obligation to respect the rights of others. This is why the state of nature, for Hobbes, was a state of war (Leviathan, XII, p. 79). While Locke believed that the individual... middle of paper ......at has had the most influence on modern liberalism is John Locke. Although Rousseau demonstrated some influence in the infrastructure of democracy, his ideology did not reflect modern-era liberalism as much as Locke. Furthermore, Thomas Hobbes had no influence on modern era liberalism due to his totalitarian outlook. It is clear that Locke's preference for individual liberty, representative democracy, and inalienable natural rights reveals his important role in the development of modern-day liberalism. Works Cited Hobbes, Leviathan, with an introduction by CB McPherson, Penguin Classics, first published 1968, ISBN 978014043157Locke, Political Writings, ed. David Wootton, (Hackett Publishing) 2003, ISBN: 978-080872206762Rousseau, Basic Political Writings, 2nd edition, translated by Donald A. Cross, (Hackett Publishing) 1987, ISBN: 978-08722200470

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