What core argument did John Locke advance in the 'Second Treatise of Government' regarding natural rights?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. government exists to protect life, liberty, estate
- Step 1: Locke argued that individuals possess natural inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property (estate) in the state of nature. Civil government is instituted through a social contract solely to protect these rights; if rulers violate this trust, citizens have a right to replace them. Answer: government exists to protect life, liberty, estate. Why not the others: "monarchical rulers govern exclusively by direct immutable divine right" is the divine right of kings theory championed by Robert Filmer, which Locke wrote to refute; "citizens have no legitimate right to revolt" is Thomas Hobbes's absolutist stance, which directly contradicts Locke's right of revolution; "all private property must belong to the state" reflects state socialism or communism, the exact antithesis of Locke's defense of private ownership.
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