What best describes John Locke's theory of the social contract?

What best describes John Locke's theory of the social contract?

• A. People gave all rights to government for protection
• B. Government rules by force
• C. People give some rights to government in exchange for protection and better lives
• D. The government is chosen by force

Answer: (C)

Locke’s idea is that people consent to government to protect their natural rights—life, liberty, and property—and, in return, they grant the government enough authority to create laws and provide order. This exchange means giving up some individual freedoms to enjoy safer, more prosperous lives under rule of law. If the government fails to protect those rights or harms the people, they have the right to change or replace it. That’s why the description that fits best is: people give some rights to government in exchange for protection and better lives. The other descriptions miss the idea of consent and protection of natural rights, suggesting force or total surrender of rights, which Locke argued against.

Locke’s idea is that people consent to government to protect their natural rights—life, liberty, and property—and, in return, they grant the government enough authority to create laws and provide order. This exchange means giving up some individual freedoms to enjoy safer, more prosperous lives under rule of law. If the government fails to protect those rights or harms the people, they have the right to change or replace it. That’s why the description that fits best is: people give some rights to government in exchange for protection and better lives. The other descriptions miss the idea of consent and protection of natural rights, suggesting force or total surrender of rights, which Locke argued against.