What role did Thomas Hooker play in the development of self government in the British colonies?

Thomas Hooker was a key figure in the development of self-government in the British colonies, particularly through his founding of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1636. He advocated for a more democratic form of governance, arguing that the authority of government should derive from the consent of the governed. This philosophy was reflected in the Fundamental Orders of 1638, which established a framework for self-government and is often considered one of the first written constitutions in the Western tradition. Hooker's ideas helped lay the groundwork for the later democratic principles that would shape American government.