Final answer:
Self-government in the colonies facilitated efficient local governance and empowered assemblies to address colonial issues due to salutary neglect and the distance from England. This led to a tradition of representative government, with colonial assemblies growing responsive to their constituents, paving the way for American democratic principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Self-government in the American colonies allowed for responsiveness and adaptability to the immediate and day-to-day needs of the colonists. Due to the distance and communication lag with England, the colonial assemblies gained power and influence over colonial affairs, mostly through the policy of salutary neglect. This empowerment of local assemblies provided a way for colonists to exert control over their own laws and policies, fostering a strong tradition of self-rule that was essential to their ability to address local issues efficiently.
Political tension was common in the colonies, as assemblies sought to expand their power over colonial matters, often leading to a pushback from newly appointed governors from England. However, these governors usually conceded to the assemblies' demands to maintain their own positions. This interplay further entrenched the practice of self-government, as locals believed they enjoyed the most enlightened form of government in Europe, protected by the same Bill of Rights that their English counterparts had. By the 18th century, many colonial assemblies had become responsive to the settlers' needs, as voters, who were often property owners, felt a direct link to their governmental institutions due to their participation in elections and appointments.
The colonial experience with self-government laid the foundation for later democratic systems, with representative bodies like Virginia's House of Burgesses and the Mayflower Compact inked by the Pilgrims. Representative government was not new to the colonists; when they perceived a threat to this tradition by the British Parliament, it would eventually lead to the American Revolution.