Which American political philosopher's ideas influenced the development of American political philosophy from Locke?

The influence of Jean-Jacques Rousseau on American political philosophy is significant, particularly regarding concepts of the social contract and general will, which extended and built on the ideas of John Locke. Rousseau's notion that government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed resonated with the emerging American values of democracy and individual rights. He argued that individuals give up some of their freedoms for the sake of collective safety and must be involved in the decision-making processes that shapes their lives, which aligned well with the revolutionary sentiments in America.

Rousseau also emphasized the idea of popular sovereignty, which played a crucial role during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. His belief that a legitimate government must reflect the general will of the people influenced many of the Founding Fathers and helped shape the democratic ideals that were fundamental to the American political system.

In contrast, while Montesquieu's ideas about the separation of powers were essential for establishing a balanced government structure, and Hobbes’s views on absolute sovereignty provided a contrasting viewpoint on government authority, they did not directly expand upon Locke's theories in the same way as Rousseau did. David Hume, although influential in philosophy, did not specifically focus on political theories in a way that directly impacted American