consent of governed
Citizens authorize rule
Consent of the governed is the principle that legitimate government authority derives from the agreement of the people being governed.
Central to democratic theory and articulated in documents like the Declaration of Independence, it holds that rulers govern only with permission from citizens: Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.
The concept implies that people may withdraw consent from tyrannical rule.
- democracyRule by the people
- popular sovereigntyPopulace holds ultimate authority
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- social contractAgreement exchanging freedom for order
natural rights · authority · rule of law · citizenship · civic duty · voting · representation · revolution · liberty · rights · republic · constitution · mandate · populace · autonomy · Locke · founding fathers · rebellion
consent of governeddivine right
God-granted ruling authority
divine right of kings · despotism · tyranny · absolute monarchy · hereditary rule
consent of governedsubjugation
Forcing into submission
serfdom · colonialism · imperialism · occupation · slavery
consent, consents, consented, consenting, consensus, consensual, dissent, dissenter, dissenting