What term describes rights that cannot be taken away by the government, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?

What term describes rights that cannot be taken away by the government, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?

• A. Civil Rights
• B. Natural Rights
• C. Unalienable Rights
• D. Human Rights

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is that some rights are inherent and cannot be taken away by the government. These are described as unalienable rights. In the Declaration of Independence, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are labeled as unalienable, meaning they are qualities you are born with and governments cannot legitimately seize or require you to surrender. This concept comes from Enlightenment thinking that governments exist to protect these fundamental rights; if a government tries to deprive people of them, the people would have the right to alter or abolish that government. Civil rights are protections against government discrimination and actions within laws that can change with new laws or interpretations. Natural rights is a broader philosophical idea that people have certain rights by nature. Human rights are universal rights owed to all people everywhere. The term that fits the description of rights that cannot be taken away by the government is unalienable rights.

The idea being tested is that some rights are inherent and cannot be taken away by the government. These are described as unalienable rights. In the Declaration of Independence, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are labeled as unalienable, meaning they are qualities you are born with and governments cannot legitimately seize or require you to surrender. This concept comes from Enlightenment thinking that governments exist to protect these fundamental rights; if a government tries to deprive people of them, the people would have the right to alter or abolish that government.

Civil rights are protections against government discrimination and actions within laws that can change with new laws or interpretations. Natural rights is a broader philosophical idea that people have certain rights by nature. Human rights are universal rights owed to all people everywhere. The term that fits the description of rights that cannot be taken away by the government is unalienable rights.