Which statement reflects the right of the people to change a government that harms them?

Which statement reflects the right of the people to change a government that harms them?

• A. The right of the people to alter or abolish the government
• B. Right to bear arms
• C. Right to a social contract
• D. Freedom of speech

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is popular sovereignty—the people have the power to shape or end a government that doesn’t protect their rights. The statement that best expresses this is the right of the people to alter or abolish the government. This idea is central to the Declaration of Independence, which argues that when a government becomes destructive of people’s natural rights, the people have the prerogative to replace it with one that better secures those rights. The other options refer to different kinds of liberties—defense, the idea of consent through a social contract, or freedom of expression—and do not articulate the authority to overthrow or reform a government that harms the people.

The main idea here is popular sovereignty—the people have the power to shape or end a government that doesn’t protect their rights. The statement that best expresses this is the right of the people to alter or abolish the government. This idea is central to the Declaration of Independence, which argues that when a government becomes destructive of people’s natural rights, the people have the prerogative to replace it with one that better secures those rights. The other options refer to different kinds of liberties—defense, the idea of consent through a social contract, or freedom of expression—and do not articulate the authority to overthrow or reform a government that harms the people.