"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, . . ."

Question

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, . . ."

Use this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence to answer the question.

How does this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence exemplify the difference between a dictatorship and a democracy?

Responses

It states that the Creator gives people “unalienable Rights,” which is true in a democracy but not in a dictatorship.
It states that the Creator gives people “unalienable Rights,” which is true in a democracy but not in a dictatorship.

It states that everyone has “unalienable Rights,” which is true in a democracy but not in a dictatorship.
It states that everyone has “unalienable Rights,” which is true in a democracy but not in a dictatorship.

It states that “all men are created equal,” which is true in a dictatorship but not in a democracy.
It states that “all men are created equal,” which is true in a dictatorship but not in a democracy.

It states that governments “deriv[e] their just powers from the consent of the governed,” which is true in a democracy but not in a dictatorship.
It states that governments “deriv[e] their just powers from the consent of the governed,” which is true in a democracy but not in a dictatorship.

Answer 1

It states that governments "derive their just powers from the consent of the governed," which is true in a democracy but not in a dictatorship. This excerpt highlights the idea of a government that is accountable to its citizens through the consent of the governed, which is a core principle of democracy. In a dictatorship, the government holds all power and its citizens have no say in the decision-making process. Additionally, the mention of unalienable rights being granted by a Creator is a belief often held in democratic societies, whereas in a dictatorship, the rights of citizens can be arbitrarily taken away by the government.