Final answer:
The policy of salutary neglect refers to Britain's lax enforcement of laws in the American colonies. This policy allowed colonies to develop self-governing practices as they were accustomed to autonomy, thereby affecting the growth of representative government by teaching colonists to govern themselves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "salutary neglect" refers to the British policy of avoiding strict enforcement of parliamentary laws in the American colonies. This hands-off approach allowed the colonies to flourish with a tradition of self-governance and representative government. The policy of salutary neglect most likely affected the growth of representative government in the colonies by leading to option d. England didn't enforce its laws in the colonies, so the colonists learned to govern themselves.
The policy of salutary neglect meant that colonial assemblies took on decision-making roles due to the time lag in communication and the Crown's preoccupation with issues in Europe. With more men meeting property qualifications to vote, there was a stronger connection to these local governments. Given the distance and Britain's other concerns, the colonies had grown used to a significant degree of autonomy, particularly in political and economic matters.
When British policies shifted and sought to assert greater control, including the levying of taxes without colonial representation, the colonists raised the cry of "no taxation without representation." This became a pivotal moment that demonstrated the colonies' expectation of self-governance and direct representation, concepts deeply ingrained during the period of salutary neglect.