According to the contract theory of government, how does forming a government change people's rights? they give up all of their rights other than the basic right to life. in exchange, the government protects them from their own selfish natures. they give up some of their natural rights, but get better protection of the rest of their rights plus additional civil rights. they give up all of their natural rights in exchange for a set of civil rights. forming a government makes no change in people's rights.