Question

Read the excerpt and answer the question below. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure [protect] these rights, Governments are instituted [created] among Men, deriving [taking] their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government . . . Based on this excerpt, what is the role of government in society?

Answer 1

Based on the excerpt, the source of government's authority comes from the people, therefore, its main role is to be accountable to people by protecting their unalienable rights to live, to have liberty and to pursue happiness, however, whenever the government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the people's duty to remove it and institute a new government.

Answer 2

The Governments role is to protect man's rights. But if they abuse that power by destructive means then the people have the power to alter or abolish it, to change it from how it was, and form a new government where the rights are equal.