Final answer:
John Locke posited that natural rights—life, liberty, and property—are God-given and inalienable, forming the basis for a government's existence and authority. These rights, which are distinct from legal rights granted by law, justify the social contract and the right to revolution if a government fails to protect them.
Step-by-step explanation:
Natural Rights as Defined by John Locke
English philosopher John Locke contributed significantly to the concept of natural rights, believing such rights were God-given and immutable. Locke contended that these rights, including life, liberty, and property, were fundamental and not to be infringed upon by governments.
In his Second Treatise of Government, Locke argues that people are inherently free and equal, advocating for a governmental system that is based on popular sovereignty and exists primarily to safeguard these inalienable rights.
Natural rights stand in contrast to legal rights, which are granted by laws and can be modified or rescinded by human institutions. According to Locke's philosophy, natural rights serve as a foundation for the social contract and justify the existence of government.
Should a government fail to protect these rights, Locke asserts that the governed possess the right to revolution. The significance of Locke's ideas is reflected in foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence, which echoes his principles by stating the pursuit of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" as unalienable rights.
Locke's vision maintains that because natural rights precede government, they cannot be repealed or restrained by any governmental or international body.