“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain UNALIENABLE Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Power from the Consent of the Governed.” — Declaration of Independence, 1776

Editor's note: This column has been edited for length.

The most fundamental concept of democracy is the idea that government exists to secure the rights of the people and must be based on the consent of the people. The consent of the governed is a core principle of American democracy. Without it, governments will inevitably fall into authoritarianism. “Consent of the governed” means the government’s authority comes fr

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