Consent of the governed

Definition

The principle that government authority is derived from the consent and support of the people being governed, typically through elections or other forms of popular participation. It emphasizes that governments should only govern with the permission and approval of the citizens they represent.

Related terms

Popular sovereignty: The belief that ultimate power and authority in a society rests with its citizens.

Democratic legitimacy: The idea that a government's authority and actions are recognized as valid by its citizens because they have given their consent.

Social contract theory: A political theory that suggests individuals willingly give up some rights and freedoms to form a government, which in turn protects their remaining rights and provides benefits for everyone.