Principles of the Declaration of Independence

From where do governments derive their power, according to the Declaration of Independence?

According to the Declaration of Independence, the "consent of the governed" or the people who live under that government, give the governments their power.

When does the Declaration say it's right to rebel?

The Declaration says it's right to rebel when government no longer protects life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, it's not right to rebel for "light and transient causes."

According to the Declaration, what is the purpose of government?

The purpose of government, according to the Declaration, is to protect people's rights.

What can people do when the governemnt stops protecting their rights?

The Declaration of Indepenence says "it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it (the government)

What is the Social Contract Theory?

The Social Contract theorgy is John Locke's claim that people form governments to protect their rights and the people promise to follow the decisions made by that government unless the government stops protecting those rights. Essentially, that all people and governments have an unwritten "social contract" with each other.

Against whom was the U.S. declaring independence?

The United States was declaring independence from England.