Locke, a pivotal figure in political philosophy, indeed championed the idea that governmental power is derived from the consent of the governed.
He posited the concept of the social contract, which asserts that individuals willingly enter into a political society and consent to be governed by an authority for the sake of protection of their natural rights life, liberty, and property.
According to Locke, in a state of nature, individuals possess natural rights but might face the challenges of instability and potential conflict. To overcome this, people establish a government through a social contract, surrendering a portion of their natural freedom to a governing body in exchange for the protection and preservation of their rights within a civil society.
Crucially, this government, whether a monarchy, democracy, or other form, is not inherently superior or dominant over the people.
Instead, it operates as a trustee, empowered by the consent of the governed, accountable for safeguarding the rights and interests of the individuals it represents.
If a government fails to fulfill this obligation or violates the social contract by encroaching upon the rights of its citizens, Locke argued that people have the right to resist or replace that government.
In essence, Locke's philosophy fundamentally positioned governmental power as emanating from the consent and trust of the people it governs, emphasizing the importance of protecting individual rights within the societal framework.