What is the name of the principle that the authority of a government is derived from the consent of the governed?

• A. Divine Right of Kings
• B. Consent of the Governed
• C. Rule of Law
• D. Natural Rights

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that a government derives its legitimacy from the people it governs. When citizens participate—like by voting, paying attention to public affairs, and following laws—they’re giving their consent to be governed. This is the essence of popular sovereignty, and the specific phrase that captures it is the consent of the governed. That’s why this choice is the best fit: it directly expresses that the authority of a government comes from the people.

Contrast that with the other notions: the Divine Right of Kings claims rulers rule by God’s appointment rather than by the people’s consent; the Rule of Law emphasizes that everyone, including those in power, must follow the laws but doesn’t specify where political authority originates; Natural Rights refers to rights people have inherently, not the source of government legitimacy.