Rulers are the instruments of the people

"John Locke in his Two Treatises of Government (1689). God had not, reasoned Locke, given Adam 'private dominion' over the earth, he had given it 'to mankind in common' for the enjoyment of everyone. Rulers were the instruments of the people and were fit to be obeyed only in so far as they served the general interest. An astonishing modern idea was born: that the justification of governments lies in their ability to promote opportunities for prosperity and happiness among all those they rule over."