Which concept asserts that the government gains legitimacy through the consent of the governed?

• A. Consent of the Governed
• B. Rule of Law
• C. Separation of Powers
• D. Equality under the Law

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is that government authority is legitimate only when the people consent to be governed. This notion, often tied to social contract theory and popular sovereignty, means that rulers derive their power from the will of the people, typically expressed through elections and civic participation. That’s exactly what “consent of the governed” captures—the idea that legitimacy comes from the governed agreeing to be governed.

The other principles describe how government should operate, not where its legitimacy comes from. Rule of Law means the government is bound by laws and not above them. Separation of Powers refers to dividing governmental powers to prevent tyranny. Equality under the Law focuses on fair and equal application of laws to everyone. While these are important principles, they don’t define the source of a government’s legitimacy the way consent of the governed does.