Question

that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed —that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. —thomas jefferson according to jefferson, what is the source of a governments authority? options: a strong, organized leader; military force; tradition; the consent of the people

Explanation:

The passage from Jefferson states "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed". So we analyze each option:

• "a strong, organized leader": The passage doesn't mention leaders as the source of authority.
• "military force": The passage has no reference to military force as the source.
• "tradition": The passage does not discuss tradition as the basis for government authority.
• "the consent of the people": This matches the quote from Jefferson where he says governments get their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Answer:

the consent of the people