In a democracy, from where does the power to govern derive?
A.
hereditary rights
B.
ownership of the land
C.
the claim to divine right
D.
the people being governed
D. the people being governed
The correct answer to the question is D. the people being governed.
In a democracy, the power to govern derives from the people being governed. Democracy is a system of government in which the citizens have the supreme power to elect their representatives and participate in decision-making processes. The legitimacy of a democratic government comes from the consent and support of the people.
To arrive at this answer, one could use their knowledge of democratic principles and concepts. Democracy is often defined as a form of government where power rests with the people. Additionally, one could refer to various academic and scholarly sources that discuss the fundamental principles of democracy. The founding documents and historical precedence of democratic countries, such as the Constitution of the United States, also explicitly state that the power resides in the people.