1. In about 1600, people started asking questions, such as "Can people rebel against the government? During the "Age of Enlightenment" philosophers asked such tough questions to explain society and government.
2. Natural Rights-Rights that came not from God or rulers but from human nature and human needs. John Locke wrote that people give up a certain amount of liberty in exchange for security, the protection of their rights, and benefits. Therefore, govt. is formed to protect natural rights .. So people are able to rebel against any govt. That is NOT protecting their rights.
3. Limits on govt--
Montesque, as with Locke, believed liberty is a natural law. He
said that rulers will usually try to increase their powers. He
said govt. should be divided into 3 separate branches to keep
govt. and rulers under control.
4. The Social Contract-
Rousseau, said the source of political authority and thus the
authority for governing is the people, who agreed to that authority
by making a social contract. A contract spells out both rights
and duties for BOTH parties(the ruler and the subjects).