U.S. Citizenship Civics TestSystem of GovernmentEasy
A civics test applicant is asked about the fundamental principle of 'consent of the governed.' Which of the following best describes this concept?
- AThe government must obtain permission from foreign powers before enacting laws.
- BAll laws must be approved by a supermajority of the judiciary.
- CThe government derives its authority from the people it governs.
- DCitizens have the right to ignore laws they disagree with.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. The government derives its authority from the people it governs.
Consent of the governed is a core principle in the U.S. system, meaning that the government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power is only justified and lawful when consented to by the people or society over which that political power is exercised. It is explicitly stated in the Declaration of Independence.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This describes international relations, not the source of government authority within a nation.
- B. Judicial approval is part of the legal process, but not the fundamental source of governmental authority.
- D. This describes civil disobedience, not the foundational principle of governmental legitimacy.
Consent of the Governed
The idea that a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power derives from the people it governs. It is a foundational principle of American democracy.
- Government power comes from the people.
- Expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
- Ensures popular sovereignty.
Memory trick: Consent of the governed: 'The people agree, so the government can proceed!'