Why Rights Exist Before Government

Bill of Rights (1791) – Rights that government did not create

The founders did not believe rights came from kings, Congress, or courts.

They believed rights came from nature, reason, and God — and that government’s job was to protect them, not invent them.

Plain-English summary

Natural rights exist before government.

The Bill of Rights recognizes these rights and blocks government from violating them.

Power flows upward from the people, not downward from rulers.

What the Bill of Rights actually says (short excerpt)

The Ninth Amendment makes this clear by warning that listing rights does not deny others.

This protects freedom beyond written words.

How this limits government overreach

What the government may NOT do
Claim ownership over basic human freedoms.

What citizens retain
Rights that exist whether government approves or not.

Which branches are affected
All branches are reminded they are servants, not masters.

Historical story – Enlightenment influence

Thinkers like John Locke argued that people are born free and equal. Governments exist to secure those rights.

American founders adopted this view and embedded it into constitutional structure.

Historical quote

John Locke wrote:

“Men being… by nature, all free, equal, and independent…”

The Bill of Rights puts this philosophy into law.

USCIS civics test connection

Questions about the Constitution’s purpose reflect this philosophy.

Protecting rights is the core mission.

Everyday life examples

Speech exists before laws regulate it.
Belief exists before government recognizes it.
Self-defense exists before courts define it.

Quick recap

Rights are natural.
Government is limited.
Liberty is preserved by restraint.

FAQs

Are natural rights written anywhere?

They are reflected in founding documents.

Can government remove natural rights?

It can try, but not legitimately.

Why write them down at all?

To restrain power.

Does this apply globally?

Philosophically yes, legally no.

Why does this matter today?

Because power still seeks expansion.