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.

The correct answer is option D: the people being governed. In a democracy, the power to govern derives from the people who are being governed. The authority to make decisions and enact laws comes from the consent and will of the citizens. This concept is often referred to as popular sovereignty, which means that the government is based on the will of the people. In a democratic system, the people have the right to participate in the political process, elect representatives, and hold those representatives accountable for their actions.