Question

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. -The Declaration of Independence
What is the main idea of this passage?

A.Governments are made up of small groups of men who hold power over the majority of the population.
B.Governments have power over countries that are weaker or less wealthy than the United States.
C.Governments have the power to go to war if they believe that they are fighting for a good cause.
D.Governments are controlled by the peo

Answer 1

In my opinion, the correct answer is D. Governments are controlled by the people. A government has a supreme power, but this power is not autonomous from the citizens' will. On the contrary, the citizens have placed their trust with their votes, authorizing the government to act on their behalf. If the government won't do it, the citizens are free to choose another government. This basically means that governments should serve their people, and not vice versa (as it happens in non-democratic, absolutist, and totalitarian states).