What type of rights are guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence guarantees unalienable rights, which are fundamental rights that cannot be surrendered, transferred, or removed. These rights are considered inherent to all individuals and are typically associated with natural rights philosophy. The Declaration specifically mentions "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" as examples of these unalienable rights, emphasizing their intrinsic nature and the idea that they are granted by the Creator and should be protected by the government.

Unalienable rights suggest that these rights are universal and apply to every person, regardless of the legal structure governing them. This notion played a crucial role in the foundation of American political philosophy and the country's identity, asserting the belief in equality and individual freedoms as irreversible attributes of human existence. While other terms such as civil rights and human rights relate to various aspects of individual freedoms and societal protections, unalienable rights are specifically tied to the Declaration's core principles and the vision of a government respecting and protecting these fundamental freedoms.