John Locke: Natural Rights
Locke argued that every human is born with a tabula rasa (blank slate) and possesses "Natural Rights" to life, liberty, and property. He believed the government's only job was to protect these rights.
Baron de Montesquieu: Separation of Powers
In his work The Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu argued that to prevent tyranny, government power must be divided into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. This "checks and balances" system is the blueprint for modern democracy.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: The Social Contract
The Social Contract Rousseau proposed that legitimate political authority comes from a "Social Contract" agreed upon by all citizens. He argued that the "General Will" of the people should be the ultimate law.
Voltaire: Civil Liberties: Beyond the ordinary
A fierce advocate for the separation of church and state, Voltaire’s writing promoted religious tolerance and the freedom of speech, famously defending the right of others to disagree with him.
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