Which philosopher argued that governments are formed to protect natural rights?

The philosopher who argued that governments are formed to protect natural rights is John Locke. Locke’s social contract theory posits that individuals have certain inherent rights—namely life, liberty, and property—that cannot be surrendered or transferred. According to Locke, the primary role of government is to protect these natural rights. He believed that a legitimate government must gain its authority from the consent of the governed, and when it fails to protect these rights, the people have the right to alter or abolish it.

This concept had a profound impact on political thought and influenced many documents, including the Declaration of Independence. Locke's emphasis on individual rights and limiting governmental power laid the foundation for modern democratic principles, distinguishing his views from those of other philosophers.