The Second Treatise of Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration
John Locke (1632-1704) wrote "Second Treatise of Government" in 1690. This was a major political philosophical source for the Founding Fathers when they signed the "Declaration of Independence" and formed a new government.
There is ... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents. ... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government, and provisions should be made to prevent its ascendancy.