John Locke; Government cannot obstruct citizens’ natural rights to life, property, and liberty.
- John Locke is considered the "Father of Liberalism". His work influenced in a great manner the development of political philosophy. Also, his writings influenced other philosophers like Voltaire and Rousseau. He contributed what is known as classical republicanism and liberal theory which is reflected in the Constitution of the United States of America.
Thomas Hobbes; The social contract is an agreement in which people exchange some of their individual freedoms for common security.
- Thomas Hobbes is considered one of the founders of modern political philosophy. Besides philosophy, Hobbes also worked in other fields like jurisprudence, history, theology and ethics. He believed in the rights of every individual, and that individuals had a self-interested cooperation known as the "social contract"
William Blackstone; Natural law was given to humans by God.
- Blackstone believed that natural law could be useful to determine which things should have been included in the common law. He was an English judge and politician. He is known for writing the Commentaries on the Laws of England.
Adam Smith; A free-market economy prevents a government from interfering too much with business and trade.
- Adam Smith was a economists and who innovated in the field of political economy. His views are still a matter of controversy but he is widely known for his book: An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. He set the foundations of classical economy, which was based on free market. He wrote about division of labour and how a capitalist economy in which there is competition can lead to prosperity.
