Question

which of the following ideas shows lockes influence on the declaration of independence?
a without a king, the colonists will be able to return to a state of nature in which all men are free.
b the king of england has a divine right to rule the colonists, so only god can remove his authority.
c by violating the social contract with the colonists, the king has lost his authority to rule.
d the king rules by right of force, so it is just for the colonists to overthrow the king using force.

Explanation:

John Locke's social - contract theory posits that government authority is based on a contract between the ruler and the people. If the ruler violates this contract, the people have the right to dissolve the government. In the context of the Declaration of Independence, the king's actions were seen as a violation of the social contract, thus losing his right to rule.

Answer:

C. By violating the social contract with the colonists, the king has lost his authority to rule.