Which concept is most closely associated with John Locke's political theory?

• A. Divine right of kings
• B. Separation of powers
• C. The social contract
• D. Natural rights

Answer: (D)

Natural rights are the central idea here—the inherent rights to life, liberty, and property that people possess by nature. John Locke argued that individuals are born with these rights and that governments exist chiefly to protect them. The legitimacy of any government, then, rests on the consent of the governed, and if a government fails to safeguard these rights or acts tyrannically, people have the prerogative to resist or dissolve it. This focus on rights that governments must respect is what links Locke most closely to liberal political thought and to later democratic developments. While he also discusses the social contract as the mechanism by which protection of rights is secured, the term natural rights best captures his lasting contribution. Divine right of kings contradicts his view, and separation of powers is more closely associated with Montesquieu, making natural rights the best fit for Locke’s influence.