Answer: The power, legitimacy, authority of the government come from its citizens
Explanation: Since the Declaration was written under the direct influence of the Enlightenment ideas, the second paragraph gives meaning, that is, the basic thesis, which is why the Declaration was written. Since, according to Enlightenment ideas, all people are born equal with the same innate natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of personal happiness, so these same people have the right to choose a government that protects the natural rights of their citizens. This means that if a government is tyrannical, as was the British rule over the 13 colonies, then the citizens have the right to overthrow and replace such a government, which was the for writing a declaration as a guarantor and guide to creating a state independent of British rule that was tyrannical and all in line with the Enlightenment ideas. That is why the second paragraph speaks of a government that will protect the interests and rights of citizens, i.e the government's mandate, authority and powers come from the people, which is a prerequisite that, according to the Enlightenment, such a government should not be tyrannical.
