According to the authors of the Declaration of Independence, who is responsible for protecting natural rights?

The Declaration of Independence articulates the foundational belief that governments are established to protect the natural rights of individuals, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. According to the authors, it is the government's role to ensure that these rights are safeguarded. This reflects the Enlightenment philosophy that emphasizes the social contract, where individuals collectively agree to form a government that will act in their interest to protect these fundamental rights. The document asserts that when a government fails to protect these rights, the people have the authority to alter or abolish it, further underscoring the idea that the government derives its power from the consent of the governed for the purpose of protecting their natural rights.