2.2 Declaration

The Declaration of Independence was based on the ideas of the European Enlightenment.  It is based on the social contract theory of government.  This theory says that people owe loyalty only to a government that acts in their best interests.

The Declaration says that the rights of the people are based on natural law – a higher law than the laws made by men.  Natural rights are rights that belong to people simply because they are human, not because kings or governments give these rights to the people.  These rights include: “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  According to the Declaration, the existence of natural rights is “self-evident” (unquestionable).  Even more important, natural rights are “unalienable” (unable to be taken away).

The Declaration states that the main reason for government is to protect the natural rights of citizens.  If a government fails to live up to this responsibility, says the Declaration, then the people have the right to change that government and create a new one.

Lastly, the Declaration of Independence argues that the government gets its power from “the consent of the governed.”  In other words, people are the source of power in government.  They must give their “consent” (permission) to be governed.  If a government does not respond to the will of the people (what the people want), then that government is not legitimate.