Final answer:
John Locke is most closely associated with the idea of the social contract, which is an agreement between the people and their government. If the government violates this agreement by abusing its power, the people have the right to withdraw their consent and establish a new government.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Locke (1632–1704), an influential Enlightenment philosopher, emphasized natural rights, government by consent, and the social contract theory. His ideas greatly influenced the American and French Revolutions. Locke's works, including "Two Treatises of Government," laid the foundation for modern liberal democracy and the protection of individual liberties.
John Locke is most closely associated with the idea of the social contract. According to Locke, people willingly give up a small portion of their freedom in exchange for the government's protection of their lives, liberty, and property. If the government abuses its power and deprives people of their rights, the social contract is broken and the people have the right to withdraw their consent and form another government.