Question

Which American idea, central to the Declaration of Independence and the social contract theory, is

the idea that governments draw legitimacy and power from the governed?

Answer 1

The American idea that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish an unjust or unfit government is a central theme to the Declaration of Independence. The social contract theory suggests that every government is under a metaphorical contract, and if the government is to become unfit for its people, it would "break" said contract, and the people would have the right to abolish the current government, and institute their own. This idea of the people choosing to alter or abolish their government is a central idea to both the Declaration of Independence, and the social contract theory.