John Locke is often hailed as the father of liberalism due to his influential contributions to political philosophy, particularly regarding individual rights, government by consent, and the social contract theory. His writings, especially “Two Treatises of Government,” laid the groundwork for modern democracy and liberal thought. Locke emphasized the importance of natural rights—life, liberty, and property—and the belief that governments exist to protect these rights. His ideas greatly influenced both the American and French revolutions, encouraging the emergence of liberal democratic principles that advocate for personal freedoms and the limits of governmental power.