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Explain natural right theory by Locke in simple and understandable form
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Natural rights theory, as proposed by John Locke, is a philosophical idea about human rights and the role of government. Here’s a simple breakdown:
1. **Basic Human Rights**: Locke believed that all human beings have certain natural rights simply because they are human. These rights include the right to life, liberty, and property. This means everyone has the right to live, to be free, and to own things.
2. **State of Nature**: Locke described a "state of nature," which is a hypothetical situation where there is no government or laws. In this state, people are generally peaceful and respectful of each other's rights. However, there is a risk of conflicts because there are no formal protections for those rights.
3. **Social Contract**: To protect their natural rights, people agree to form a government. This agreement is called a social contract. They give up some of their freedoms and agree to follow laws in exchange for protection of their rights.
4. **Government's Role**: According to Locke, the main role of government is to protect the natural rights of its citizens. If the government fails to do this or starts to infringe upon these rights, the people have the right to change or overthrow it.
5. **Consent of the Governed**: Locke argued that legitimate governments must be based on the consent of the governed. This means that the authority of the government comes from the agreement of the people it governs.
In summary, Locke's natural rights theory emphasizes that individuals possess inherent rights that must be respected and protected by government, which exists to serve the people. If the government fails to protect these rights, it loses its legitimacy.
1. **Basic Human Rights**: Locke believed that all human beings have certain natural rights simply because they are human. These rights include the right to life, liberty, and property. This means everyone has the right to live, to be free, and to own things.
2. **State of Nature**: Locke described a "state of nature," which is a hypothetical situation where there is no government or laws. In this state, people are generally peaceful and respectful of each other's rights. However, there is a risk of conflicts because there are no formal protections for those rights.
3. **Social Contract**: To protect their natural rights, people agree to form a government. This agreement is called a social contract. They give up some of their freedoms and agree to follow laws in exchange for protection of their rights.
4. **Government's Role**: According to Locke, the main role of government is to protect the natural rights of its citizens. If the government fails to do this or starts to infringe upon these rights, the people have the right to change or overthrow it.
5. **Consent of the Governed**: Locke argued that legitimate governments must be based on the consent of the governed. This means that the authority of the government comes from the agreement of the people it governs.
In summary, Locke's natural rights theory emphasizes that individuals possess inherent rights that must be respected and protected by government, which exists to serve the people. If the government fails to protect these rights, it loses its legitimacy.
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