What is John Locke best known for advocating?

John Locke is best known for advocating the importance of individual rights, particularly life, liberty, and property. His philosophical ideas laid the foundation for modern democratic theory and the understanding of human rights. In his work, particularly in "Two Treatises of Government," Locke argues that individuals possess natural rights that must be protected by the government. He believed that a government’s legitimacy arises from its ability to secure these rights for its citizens and that if a government fails to do so, the people have the right to revolt.

Locke's emphasis on the social contract is pivotal, as he theorized that governments are formed by the consent of the governed and are established to protect individual rights. This was a radical shift from the prevailing views of his time, which often supported the divine right of kings and absolute authority. Thus, Locke's advocacy for individual rights significantly influenced later democratic movements and documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.