Which of the following statements best explains the diagram?
| A. Federalism is the most effective form of governance for large countries | ||
| B. Governments exist to protect the rights of the people | ||
| C. Governments grant rights to the people | ||
| D. The separation of powers is necessary to prevent tyranny |
America's founding fathers, such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, were greatly influenced by the political philosophies of the Enlightenment. Borrowing largely from John Locke's Second Treatise of Civil Government, the founders embraced a concept known as the social contract.
According to social contract theory, governments exist to protect people's rights. Rights to life and property are considered among the natural rights granted to the people by God. The people grant power to government, and in turn, the government protects the natural rights of the people by establishing laws.
(Choice A) The diagram doesn't make a statement regarding federalism.
(Choice C) In the social contract, rights are not granted to the people by the government. Rights are protected by the government.
(Choice D) Separation of powers refers to the branches of government having different functions, as well as the ability to place checks on the power of the other branches. This concept isn't reflected in the diagram.
Things to remember:
The US government is based on Enlightenment concepts such as John Locke's social contract. According to the social contract, governments exist to protect people's rights.
