Who is most closely associated with the idea that life, liberty, and property are fundamental rights?

The association of life, liberty, and property as fundamental rights is most closely linked to John Locke, a 17th-century English philosopher. Locke's theories on government and human rights greatly influenced the development of liberal political philosophy and democratic thought. He argued that these rights are inherent to all individuals and form the basis of a social contract between the government and the governed. In Locke's view, a legitimate government must protect these rights; if it fails to do so, citizens are justified in rebelling against unjust governance. His concepts laid the groundwork for modern democratic ideals and were pivotal in shaping documents such as the United States Declaration of Independence.

In contrast, John Stuart Mill focused more on the principles of liberty and utilitarianism, emphasizing individual freedom within society. Thomas Hobbes is known for his views on the necessity of a strong central authority to prevent chaos, rather than on the protection of individual rights, while Jean-Jacques Rousseau explored the idea of the general will and collective rights of the community, rather than the specific rights of individuals as outlined by Locke.