Which British liberal thinker is known for his belief in natural rights?

John Locke is celebrated for his philosophy that emphasizes natural rights, which include life, liberty, and property. He argued that these rights are inherent and not granted by any government or authority, establishing a foundational principle for liberal democracy. Locke believed that the role of government is to protect these natural rights and that any government failing to do so loses its legitimacy. His ideas significantly influenced modern political thought, particularly regarding the development of democratic principles and individual rights.

In contrast, Thomas Hobbes had a more pessimistic view of human nature and advocated for a strong, centralized authority to maintain order, which diverges from the concept of natural rights. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, while he discussed freedom and the social contract, did not specifically frame his arguments around the concept of natural rights as Locke did. Baron de Montesquieu contributed to political theory with his ideas on the separation of powers but did not focus on natural rights in the same way as Locke.