John Locke believed government's obligation to protect natural rights; if government failed, the people had the right to

John Locke believed government's obligation to protect natural rights; if government failed, the people had the right to

• A. Overthrow the government
• B. Move to another country
• C. Refuse to vote
• D. Continue to be persecuted

Answer: (A)

Locke’s idea is that political power is justified only as long as rulers protect natural rights—life, liberty, and property. When a government fails to safeguard those rights, it violates its purpose, and the people are entitled to overthrow it and establish a new government that will uphold those rights. This is why revolution is seen as legitimate when rulers become tyrannical or neglect the citizens’ basic protections. Moving to another country isn’t the remedy Locke emphasizes for a failing government, and refusing to participate in governance or continuing to suffer persecution would mean accepting a government that isn’t fulfilling its fundamental duty. The proper response, then, is to replace the government with one that will safeguard natural rights.

Locke’s idea is that political power is justified only as long as rulers protect natural rights—life, liberty, and property. When a government fails to safeguard those rights, it violates its purpose, and the people are entitled to overthrow it and establish a new government that will uphold those rights. This is why revolution is seen as legitimate when rulers become tyrannical or neglect the citizens’ basic protections. Moving to another country isn’t the remedy Locke emphasizes for a failing government, and refusing to participate in governance or continuing to suffer persecution would mean accepting a government that isn’t fulfilling its fundamental duty. The proper response, then, is to replace the government with one that will safeguard natural rights.