Civil liberties are best defined as natural or inherent rights that government must protect. These are fundamental rights and freedoms that are typically outlined in legal documents, such as constitutions or bills of rights, and are meant to protect individuals from government overreach. While rights can be granted by government, civil liberties are generally understood to predate government action and require protection from governmental infringement.
Therefore, the correct choice from your options would be:
- natural or inherent rights that government must protect.