How Did John Locke Contribute To The Expansion Of Government

Expansion of US Government Through Philosophers The United States government did not begin as one general idea, but through many ideas through trial and error. Many philosophers implemented ideas of government and how they should rule. John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Baron de Montesquieu, and Alexis de Tocqueville are all historic philosophers that have contributed many concepts for the United States constitution and government. One of the most influential philosophers to the US government was John Locke. He believed that a king or queen did not have the godly right to rule a nation. The idea that a king or queen had a divine right had no place in government. During the time in the 1600s, the monarchist leader would rule through his own personal beliefs and the belief that the ruler was chosen by god himself. He also implied the idea that a nation’s government should protect the people’s property rights and natural rights. In the book American Politics Today, it states about John Locke, “He discussed many of the ideas that later appeared in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution” (Bianco and Canon 36) The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution provided the responsibility of government protecting people’s unalienable rights. He employed the principle …show more content…
In which in a way it can be seen as true. If the government gives too much to the people, then the people would expect even more from the government. Although, he did believe that the king or queen in a monarchy needs to protect the people of that nation. Government protection can be seen in today’s society by the institutions of government authorities. From local police, state military, and last federal (nation) military. Hobbes believed that people needed to be governed because without government the nation would be