Final answer:
The proper relationship between government and people is one where governments are established and powered by the consent of the governed and must be responsive to their needs and rights, ensuring a balance between law and order and individual freedoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Relationship between Government and People
The question at hand explores the proper relationship between government and people, a concept deeply rooted in political philosophy and the history of governance. Grounded in the ideas of social contract theorists like John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau, this relationship is based on an exchange where people consent to give up some freedoms in return for the protection and services offered by a government. Governments are established by the people, who are the ultimate source of governmental power, and should therefore be aligned with the general will and interests of the society they serve.
Historically, the necessity for government arose out of the need to protect people from conflicts and to provide law and order. This role of government, however, comes with the caveat that it must not become so powerful as to unduly restrain the basic liberties of the populace. Instead, a balance is required, one that is exemplified in the United States by the Bill of Rights, which outlines the limits to governmental power and guarantees individual freedoms.
A critical aspect of this relationship is the accountability of the government to its people, as described by Locke. If a government fails to protect the rights of the individuals, the people have the authority to overthrow it, suggesting that obedience to government is contingent on the government's upholding of its end of the social contract. Furthermore, the rule of law is essential for ensuring that government is applied fairly and equitably, rather than being subject to the whims of the rulers.