Who advocated for the idea of a social contract, influencing American government structures?

John Locke is the figure most closely associated with the concept of the social contract, which greatly influenced the development of American government. His philosophy posits that individuals possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property and that governments are formed through the consent of the governed to protect these rights. Locke's ideas laid the groundwork for modern democratic theories, emphasizing the importance of individual rights and the responsibility of the government to its citizens. This framework directly shaped the principles embedded in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, advocating for a government that derives its power from the consent of the people.

Hobbes, while also discussing the social contract, focused on a more authoritarian view, suggesting that in a natural state, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," thus justifying absolute monarchy. Rousseau's interpretation of the social contract was more collectivist, emphasizing the general will and community over individual rights. Montesquieu, although significant for his thoughts on separation of powers, did not primarily advocate a social contract in the same manner as Locke, focusing instead on how government structures could prevent tyranny. Locke's emphasis on individual rights and government accountability remains at the heart of American political philosophy.