John Locke played a crucial role in influencing political philosophy, particularly regarding concepts of governance, natural rights, and the social contract. His work, especially "Two Treatises of Government," argued that individuals possess inalienable rights such as life, liberty, and property, which governments must protect. Locke’s ideas about the consent of the governed and the right to revolt against tyrannical rule significantly impacted liberal democratic thought and inspired revolutionary movements, including the American Revolution. His theories laid the intellectual foundation for modern democracy, emphasizing the importance of individual rights and limited government, which continue to inform contemporary political discourse.