AN INVESTIGATION OF THE UNIFICATION BETWEEN HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL RIGHTS IN JOHN LOCKE’S THOUGHTS ON POLITICS AND RULE OF LAW

Abstract

The natural rights of man and human rights as institutionalized through articles in the constitution and the law of the state is a point of “heated” debate in politics and rule of law of modern in West Europe. The pioneer of the unification between human rights and civil rights in the 17^th century was John Locke – an outstanding representative of British empiricism – materialism and the father of modern liberalism. In his Social Contract theory, John Locke raised that argument as the basis for the establishment of a political regime based on the principle of separation of powers and the promotion of democracy. John Locke’s thoughts on politics and rule of law concerning the unification between human and civil rights possess timeless value and great historical significance