Final answer:
The government's responsibility to promote happiness and welfare is reflected in documents such as the Constitution and principles of social justice. The Constitution mentions promoting the general welfare, while the Preamble refers to the pursuit of happiness as an unalienable right. Philosophers like John Rawls also emphasize the importance of government's role in ensuring the well-being of citizens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The government's responsibility to promote happiness and welfare is reflected in various documents and principles. In the United States, the concept of promoting the general welfare is mentioned in the Constitution. It states that the national government should promote the general welfare, although it doesn't provide a specific definition of what this entails.
Furthermore, the Preamble of the Constitution mentions the pursuit of happiness as one of the unalienable rights that people are endowed with. This implies that the government has a responsibility to create conditions and provide services that contribute to the well-being and happiness of its citizens.
Additionally, philosophers like John Rawls argue that the well-being of citizens should be a vital component of our agreement to obey a government. They believe that human freedom and social welfare are both important and should be balanced by the government.