The Declaration of Independence embodies social contract theory by outlining the fundamental principles of governance and individual rights. It asserts that governments are established to protect the rights of the people, and when they fail in this duty, the populace has the right to alter or abolish them. The document lists the grievances against the king, illustrating how the colonists believed their rights were violated, thus justifying their decision to declare independence. By emphasizing the idea that legitimate government derives its power from the consent of the governed, the Declaration reflects key tenets of social contract theory.
Summarize how the Declaration of Independence embodies social contract theory in action.(1 point) Responses The Declaration of Independence describes how the United States government is arranged. The Declaration of Independence describes how the United States government is arranged. The Declaration of Independence lists all of the ways that the colonists felt their liberties had been violated by the king. The Declaration of Independence lists all of the ways that the colonists felt their liberties had been violated by the king. The Declaration of Independence was the first U.S. Constitution. The Declaration of Independence was the first U.S. Constitution. The Declaration of Independence lists the how the monarchy protected the people. The Declaration of Independence lists the how the monarchy protected the people.
5 answers
The option that best summarizes how the Declaration of Independence embodies social contract theory in action is:
The Declaration of Independence lists all of the ways that the colonists felt their liberties had been violated by the king.
This option emphasizes the idea that the government (in this case, the monarchy) had a contract with the people to protect their rights, and when it failed to do so, the colonists justified their break from England.
The option that best reflects how the Declaration of Independence was influenced by John Locke is:
It is based on the concept of natural rights and social contract theory.
John Locke's philosophy emphasized natural rights—including life, liberty, and property—along with the idea that governments are formed by a social contract to protect these rights. If a government fails to do so, people have the right to revolt, which directly influenced the sentiments expressed in the Declaration.