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.
- from the Declaration of Independence
Which central principle of the US government is expressed in this excerpt?
• There must be a separation between the powers of government.
• The government is granted its power by the people.
• The government is granted its power by the Constitution.
• There must be a separation between religion and government.
The central principle of the US government expressed in this excerpt is that the government is granted its power by the people.
The central principle of the US government that is expressed in this excerpt is: "The government is granted its power by the people."
The central principle of the US government that is expressed in this excerpt is: "The government is granted its power by the people."
Explanation:
To determine the central principle being expressed in the excerpt provided, we can analyze the text. The excerpt states that certain unalienable rights, such as Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, are endowed to all men by their Creator. It then goes on to explain that governments are instituted among men to secure these rights, and that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.
By stating that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed, the excerpt highlights the principle that the government's authority and power come from the people. This principle is a cornerstone of the US government and is known as popular sovereignty. It reflects the belief that the people, as the source of political power, have the right to establish and control their government.
The other options mentioned in the question, such as the separation of powers, the government being granted power by the Constitution, and the separation between religion and government, are important principles in the US government as well, but they are not directly expressed in this particular excerpt from the Declaration of Independence.