According to the Declaration of Independence, what is the primary purpose for creating government?

The primary purpose for creating government, according to the Declaration of Independence, is to protect basic human rights. This foundational document emphasizes that all individuals are endowed with unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Therefore, the role of government is fundamentally about safeguarding these rights and ensuring that they are not violated.

The Declaration asserts that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, highlighting the responsibility of government to serve and protect the interests of its citizens, particularly their inherent rights. The idea is that the legitimacy of any government is tied to its commitment to uphold and protect these fundamental rights.

While maintaining order, serving citizens, and providing national defense are important functions of government, they are generally viewed as means to an end. The end goal remains the protection of individual rights, as expressed in the Declaration. Thus, this viewpoint is central to the philosophy behind the establishment of government as outlined in this key historical document.