Which term best describes government authority that comes from the people?

• A. Divine right.
• B. Rule by a dictator.
• C. Consent of the governed.
• D. Mercantilism.

Answer: (C)

Authority that comes from the people means the right to rule is granted by the citizens themselves, usually through elections, participation, and adherence to laws. This idea is captured by the term consent of the governed, which describes how government legitimacy rests on the will of the people rather than on force or hereditary claim. When people consent, they accept and support government rules and leaders, often by voting and engaging in civic processes; if consent wanes, the government's legitimacy can be questioned. Divine right, on the other hand, bases authority on a God-given mandate rather than the people’s consent. Rule by a dictator centers on power obtained and maintained through coercion. Mercantilism is an economic theory about wealth and trade, not a description of how political authority is derived.