Which concept emphasizes that governments should protect individual rights?

The concept that emphasizes the protection of individual rights is Natural Law. This philosophical idea is rooted in the belief that certain rights are inherent and universal, deriving from nature rather than human-made laws. Natural Law posits that individuals have rights that are not granted by governments but are fundamental to human existence. This framework has significantly influenced modern human rights discussions, asserting that governments have a moral obligation to safeguard these inherent rights.

In contrast, while Monarchical Rule may involve the protection of rights to some extent, it is often more focused on the authority and power of the monarchy rather than the rights of individuals. The Social Contract theory does touch on individual rights, but it additionally considers the mutual obligations between the governed and the government, making it broader than just an emphasis on individual rights. Democracy as a system, while often upholding the protection of individual rights through representation and participation, does not inherently focus on those rights without the philosophical grounding provided by Natural Law. Therefore, Natural Law distinctly highlights the idea that the government's role is to protect the rights that belong to individuals by virtue of being human.