Final answer:
The belief of having laws imposed only by a freely elected government is rooted in the values of republicanism and democratic governance, emphasizing consent of the governed and the need for government to protect liberties while limiting its power to prevent abuses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The belief that a government should only impose laws on its people if it has been freely elected is fundamentally tied to the principles of republicanism and democratic governance. The idea stresses that the source of political authority comes from the consent of the governed. This concept was clearly articulated during the American Revolutionary period, where colonists demanded the right to be taxed only by elected representatives rather than a distant monarchy. The declarations and constitutions of the newly formed states reflected this belief—the notion that governments derive their just powers from the consent of those they govern was enshrined in many state constitutions and later in the U.S. Constitution itself.
In addition to the principle of governmental power being derived from the people, there was also a shared understanding that the structure of government needed to protect individual liberties—a government should allow its people to be as free as possible while efficiently providing for their collective needs. This principle is closely intertwined with the concept that governments ought to limit their power to prevent abuse and ensure that they do not interfere unduly in the daily lives of their citizens. The creation of the U.S. Constitution is a manifestation of these principles, aiming to create a balance of power that allowed for both a strong national government and the protection of individual rights, with the ultimate power residing in the electorate.