Question

understanding the power of government
what does the preamble say about the power of government? select all that apply.

• if the government abuses its power, people’s natural rights are taken away.
• great britain has always upheld the natural rights of the colonists.
• the government has a responsibility to protect people’s rights, not to control their lives.
• government’s power comes from the creator.
• a government is empowered by the consent of the governed.

Explanation:

1. Analyze each option:

• "If the government abuses its power, people’s natural rights are taken away." - This is more about consequences of abuse, not the Preamble's view on government power.
• "Great Britain has always upheld the natural rights of the colonists." - Historically, Great Britain did not always uphold colonists' rights (e.g., taxes, restrictions), so this is incorrect.
• "The government has a responsibility to protect people’s rights, not to control their lives." - Aligns with the idea that government exists to secure rights (from social contract/constitutional principles related to preamble - like ideas).
• "Government’s power comes from the Creator." - More associated with natural rights theory's source of rights, not the preamble's view on government power (preamble - like ideas focus on people's consent/protection of rights).
• "A government is empowered by the consent of the governed." - A key principle (social contract - like) that government's authority comes from the people, which is a core idea related to the preamble's context (e.g., US Constitution Preamble's implication of serving the people, deriving power from their consent).

1. So the correct options are the ones stating the government's responsibility to protect rights and being empowered by consent of the governed.

Answer:

• The government has a responsibility to protect people’s rights, not to control their lives.
• A government is empowered by the consent of the governed.