Which concept describes the idea that government derives legitimacy from the consent of the governed?

Which concept describes the idea that government derives legitimacy from the consent of the governed?

• A. Divine right
• B. Social contract
• C. Authoritarian rule
• D. Revolutionary overthrow

Answer: (B)

The idea that government derives legitimacy from the consent of the governed is rooted in the social contract. In this view, people agree to form a political body and surrender some freedoms in exchange for protection of their rights and the maintenance of order. The authority of rulers comes from this collective agreement, and its legitimacy rests on upholding the rights and welfare of the people. If the government violates those terms or fails to protect rights, the governed retain the right to resist or alter the government—the contract requires that the rulers have the consent of those they govern. Divine right, by contrast, grounds authority in a decree from God, not in the people’s consent, so it doesn’t fit the idea described. Authoritarian rule relies on coercion or obedience rather than voluntary consent, so it isn’t about legitimacy through the governed’s agreement. Revolutionary overthrow centers on replacing a regime through upheaval, which can lead to a new social contract, but the core concept here specifically emphasizes legitimacy arising from the people’s consent rather than from force or rebellion.

The idea that government derives legitimacy from the consent of the governed is rooted in the social contract. In this view, people agree to form a political body and surrender some freedoms in exchange for protection of their rights and the maintenance of order. The authority of rulers comes from this collective agreement, and its legitimacy rests on upholding the rights and welfare of the people. If the government violates those terms or fails to protect rights, the governed retain the right to resist or alter the government—the contract requires that the rulers have the consent of those they govern.

Divine right, by contrast, grounds authority in a decree from God, not in the people’s consent, so it doesn’t fit the idea described. Authoritarian rule relies on coercion or obedience rather than voluntary consent, so it isn’t about legitimacy through the governed’s agreement. Revolutionary overthrow centers on replacing a regime through upheaval, which can lead to a new social contract, but the core concept here specifically emphasizes legitimacy arising from the people’s consent rather than from force or rebellion.