The idea that political power derives from the people and is granted through government by the people is called what?

• A. The rule of law
• B. Divine right
• C. Consent of the governed
• D. Popular sovereignty

Answer: (C)

Power in government comes from the people who consent to be governed. This reflects the social contract idea that legitimate authority arises when citizens agree to form a government and accept its rules. In American history, the Declaration of Independence expresses this directly: governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. Framing the concept this way highlights that the government's authority is granted by the people’s agreement, not bestowed by God, not simply a blanket rule of law, and not just a general statement that the people rule. The other terms are related ideas, but they don’t pinpoint the mechanism by which authority is granted—the consent of the governed does.