Locke's empiricism is the philosophical view that all knowledge comes from experience. He rejected the idea of innate ideas and believed that our minds are blank slates (tabula rasa) at birth, filled through sensory experience and reflection.

Locke's social contract theory states that individuals in a state of nature (a hypothetical pre-political state) agree to form a government to protect their natural rights (life, liberty, and property). This agreement forms the basis of political legitimacy and justifies the authority of the government.

Locke believed that all individuals possess natural rights, which are inherent and inalienable. These rights include the right to life, liberty, and property. They exist independently of any government or legal system.

Locke advocated for a limited government whose primary role is to protect the natural rights of its citizens. He believed that government power should be constrained by law and that any government that violates these rights loses its legitimacy and can be overthrown.

Locke argued that individuals have a right to own property that they have acquired through their labor. He believed that property is essential for individual freedom and economic prosperity.

Locke advocated for religious tolerance, arguing that individuals should be free to practice their own religion as long as it does not harm others. He believed that forced religious conformity is incompatible with individual liberty.

Locke emphasized the importance of the consent of the governed in establishing a legitimate government. He argued that political power derives from the people, and any government that rules without their consent is illegitimate.

Locke believed that government power should be divided among different branches (legislative, executive, and federative) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and abusing its authority. This idea laid the groundwork for the modern concept of separation of powers.

Locke argued that if a government violates the natural rights of its citizens and fails to fulfill its obligations, the people have a right to overthrow it and establish a new government. This concept has been influential in revolutionary movements throughout history.#+TITLE: John Locke's Political Philosophy: Key Concepts

Locke's empiricism is the philosophical view that all knowledge comes from experience. He rejected the idea of innate ideas and believed that our minds are blank slates (tabula rasa) at birth, filled through sensory experience and reflection.

Locke's social contract theory states that individuals in a state of nature (a hypothetical pre-political state) agree to form a government to protect their natural rights (life, liberty, and property). This agreement forms the basis of political legitimacy and justifies the authority of the government.

Locke believed that all individuals possess natural rights, which are inherent and inalienable. These rights include the right to life, liberty, and property. They exist independently of any government or legal system.

Locke advocated for a limited government whose primary role is to protect the natural rights of its citizens. He believed that government power should be constrained by law and that any government that violates these rights loses its legitimacy and can be overthrown.

Locke argued that individuals have a right to own property that they have acquired through their labor. He believed that property is essential for individual freedom and economic prosperity.

Locke advocated for religious tolerance, arguing that individuals should be free to practice their own religion as long as it does not harm others. He believed that forced religious conformity is incompatible with individual liberty.

Locke emphasized the importance of the consent of the governed in establishing a legitimate government. He argued that political power derives from the people, and any government that rules without their consent is illegitimate.

Locke believed that government power should be divided among different branches (legislative, executive, and federative) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and abusing its authority. This idea laid the groundwork for the modern concept of separation of powers.

Locke argued that if a government violates the natural rights of its citizens and fails to fulfill its obligations, the people have a right to overthrow it and establish a new government. This concept has been influential in revolutionary movements throughout history.