In Locke's view, what is the relationship between natural rights and government?

In Locke's philosophy, the relationship between natural rights and government is foundational to his social contract theory. He posits that individuals possess inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, which exist independent of government. These natural rights are not conferred by any authority; rather, they are inherent to all individuals by virtue of being human.

The role of government, according to Locke, is to safeguard these natural rights. He argues that individuals consent to form a government as a means to protect their rights more effectively than they could on their own. When a government is established, it is granted the authority to enforce laws and maintain order, but its primary duty is to ensure that the natural rights of its citizens are not violated. If a government fails to protect these rights, Locke believes that the people have the right to overthrow it. This reflects the importance of government in acting as a protector of the fundamental rights that individuals possess simply by being human, thus confirming that the correct relationship is one of protection.