Final answer:
Citizens give up certain natural rights to gain the protection and services offered by a government, which is founded on a social contract that ensures the government's power stems from the consent of the governed. Failure of the government to uphold its end of the social contract grants citizens the right to alter or abolish it, as stated in the Declaration of Independence and supported by theorists like John Locke.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is sometimes considered permissible to give up certain natural rights in exchange for the protection and security provided by a government. This concept stems from the philosophy of the social contract, as discussed by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau. They argue that citizens agree to surrender some freedoms and submit to the authority of the state, in return for the government's commitment to uphold the law, protect society, and maintain order. The government, in turn, derives its power from the consent of the governed, which is based on its ability to safeguard the rights of its citizens.
The relationship between the government and its citizens is rooted in a mutual obligation: governments owe the people security and protection, while people owe government loyalty and obedience. If a government fails to provide this security, the people have the right to alter or to abolish it, as famously stated in the Declaration of Independence. However, if the government abides by its responsibilities and the social contract, individuals accept certain limitations on their liberties for the greater good of the community, such as public safety and social harmony. As an example, preserving property through laws and police protection requires some level of individual liberty to be traded for these services.
Critics such as Jeremy Bentham, however, argue against the concept of natural rights, suggesting that rights do not exist outside of legal systems and that discussions of 'natural rights' can lead to harmful consequences. Nonetheless, the overall consensus supports the idea of inalienable rights, which are fundamental human rights that cannot be surrendered.