Final answer:
Governments fail when they no longer have the consent of their people.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, governments fail when they no longer have the consent of their people. This means that a government loses its legitimacy and authority when it no longer represents or serves the interests of the citizens who are governed by it.
Jefferson believed that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed, and when a government fails to act in the best interest of the people, it becomes unjust and oppressive.
Governments can fail for various reasons, but one crucial aspect is when they no longer have the support or consent of their people.
Learn more about Jefferson's view on government legitimacy and failure