... its basis in religion or tradition. Hobbes's pragmatic view of government, which stressed the equality of individuals, opened the way to free criticism of government and the right to revolution, ideas that Hobbes himself opposed. An influential early liberal was the English philosopher John Locke. In his political writings, which deeply influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution, he ... and in later pronouncements defending revolutions, attacking paternalistic government, and upholding free expression of unpopular opinions. In France, Locke's philosophy was taken over by the leaders ...

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• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Graduate