Why John Locke is known as father of liberalism?

Why John Locke is known as father of liberalism?

 John Locke belongs to Britain. He has witnessed the glorious revolution of 1688. Hence, he developed an optimistic view of human nature. He is known as father of liberalism. The country whose political system comes nearest to ideas of John Locke is USA.Liberalism stands for the liberty of man and hence it supports the theory of Limited state. According to John Locke, government is a trust and people are trustees. John Locke is also a scholar of bourgeoisie class / capitalist class. By the time of Locke capitalists who were earlier supporting the absolute monarchy started claiming their rights back as evident in glorious revolution. In John Locke, we can see the justification for the natural rights and specifically justification to absolute right to property. John Locke is known as scholar of possessive individualism.

What is possessive individualism?

Possessive individualism means whatever man possesses is because of his own efforts and hence there is no obligation on man to pay back to the society. Since John Locke justifies absolute right to property, he is known as scholar of possessive individualism. In John Locke we can see origin of theory of separation of powers, the concept of due process of law and theory of toleration (feature of a secular state). John Locke also belongs to social contract tradition. He is also a utilitarian.

Works of John Locke – the two treaties on civil government

➢ Content of the first treaty – in his first book he has criticized Filmer's “patriarchy”. In the second book he has given his theory of government.
Why John Locke criticize Patriarcha?
In this book Filmer has justified the absolute authority of the state. According to Filmer, state is a big family of God. God has created Adam. God has given absolute powers to Adam. Adam is the first king. Hence, he should enjoy absolute authority. Filmer did not accept contract as the basis of political authority. According to him, the basis of authority should be hereditary. From God, the power has been transferred to Adam and from Adam to his sons and their Successors. It means all kings are Successors of Adam and should enjoy absolute rights.