The idea that government derives its authority from the people's approval.

The idea that government derives its authority from the people's approval.

• A. Consent of the Governed
• B. Federalism
• C. Representation
• D. Checks and Balances

Answer: (A)

The main concept being tested is consent of the governed—the idea that government derives its authority from the people’s approval to rule. In democracies, the legitimacy of laws and leaders rests on the people’s ongoing consent, which is expressed through participation, elections, and acceptance of the social contract. When people approve, government legitimacy is affirmed; when that consent wanes, reforms, elections, or peaceful changes in leadership become ways to restore or renew that authority. This idea sits at the heart of democratic thought and is reflected in how societies organize power and legitimacy. Federalism is about dividing power between levels of government, not where authority ultimately comes from. Representation concerns electing people to act on our behalf, which is a mechanism that channels consent but doesn’t define the source of authority itself. Checks and balances describe how different branches limit each other to prevent abuse, not where that authority originates.

The main concept being tested is consent of the governed—the idea that government derives its authority from the people’s approval to rule. In democracies, the legitimacy of laws and leaders rests on the people’s ongoing consent, which is expressed through participation, elections, and acceptance of the social contract. When people approve, government legitimacy is affirmed; when that consent wanes, reforms, elections, or peaceful changes in leadership become ways to restore or renew that authority. This idea sits at the heart of democratic thought and is reflected in how societies organize power and legitimacy.

Federalism is about dividing power between levels of government, not where authority ultimately comes from. Representation concerns electing people to act on our behalf, which is a mechanism that channels consent but doesn’t define the source of authority itself. Checks and balances describe how different branches limit each other to prevent abuse, not where that authority originates.