Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Social Studies Practice Exam 2025 - Free MTTC Social Studies Practice Questions and Study Guide

The philosopher most associated with the concept of natural rights is John Locke. Locke's theories are pivotal in the development of liberal political philosophy, particularly his notion that all individuals possess inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, which exist prior to the establishment of government. He argued that the role of government is to protect these natural rights and that any government that fails to do so is unjust and can be overthrown. This idea deeply influenced both the Enlightenment thinkers and the founding principles of many democratic governments, including the United States.

Locke's emphasis on the individual and the importance of consent in governance stands in contrast to the perspectives of other philosophers. For instance, Thomas Hobbes viewed the state of nature as chaotic and emphasized the necessity of a strong central authority, while Jean-Jacques Rousseau focused on the importance of the collective will of the people. Montesquieu, on the other hand, contributed to political theory through his ideas on separation of powers but did not specifically advocate for the notion of natural rights in the same way that Locke did.