John Locke is one of the philosophers most closely associated with the concept of the social contract. His writings, particularly in "Two Treatises of Government," argue that governments are formed through an agreement among individuals to protect their rights to life, liberty, and property. He asserts that authority derives from the consent of the governed. Locke’s ideas significantly influenced modern democratic thought, framing the foundations of political philosophy and shaping the development of liberal democracy, particularly in the United States and France, where his principles were incorporated into constitutional frameworks.