Which figure's ideas were significant in opposing authoritarianism within the framework of Enlightenment thinking?

John Locke's ideas were significant in opposing authoritarianism during the Enlightenment period, primarily through his advocacy for natural rights and the social contract. Locke argued that individuals possess inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, which must be protected by governments. His belief that a government's legitimacy is derived from the consent of the governed challenged the notion of absolute rule by monarchs or authoritarian leaders. This idea laid the groundwork for democratic principles and the importance of individual freedoms in governance.

Locke also emphasized the idea that if a government fails to protect these rights or becomes tyrannical, citizens have the right to overthrow it. This radical notion supported the movement toward more democratic forms of government and influenced future political revolutions, including the American and French Revolutions. His works inspired Enlightenment thinkers and political movements, articulating a vision of governance that prioritized individual rights over authoritarian control.