According to John Locke, what is the primary purpose of government?

John Locke, a prominent Enlightenment thinker, articulated a philosophy centered around the protection of natural rights, which he defined as life, liberty, and property. His view was that the legitimacy of government is derived from its role in safeguarding these rights. According to Locke, individuals enter into a social contract, agreeing to form a government that would protect their inherent rights in exchange for some degree of personal freedom.

This foundational belief in the protection of individual rights differentiates Locke's philosophy from the ideas embodied in the other options. Imposing religious beliefs or controlling the economy would not align with Locke's vision of a government that exists to serve the people by ensuring their rights are protected. Additionally, while maintaining social order is important, Locke believed that this should not come at the expense of personal freedoms and natural rights. Thus, the primary purpose of government, according to Locke, is indeed to protect the natural rights of individuals.