Rights are defined as what?

• A. Optional privileges granted by the state.
• B. Basic and fundamental entitlements arising from being human and not removable.
• C. Exclusive to citizens living overseas.
• D. Environmental protections only.

Answer: (B)

Rights are basic and fundamental entitlements that belong to every person simply because they are human and cannot be taken away. This universal, inalienable nature means rights limit government power and protect human dignity, ensuring equal treatment under the law. That’s why the description that rights arise from being human and are not removable best captures what rights are.

The idea of rights as optional privileges granted by the state would make them contingent and revocable, which isn’t how rights are understood. Saying rights are exclusive to citizens living overseas narrows who has rights and isn’t accurate for the general concept of rights. Limiting rights to environmental protections only is too narrow and misses the broader range of fundamental entitlements that rights encompass.