The Consent of the Governed: A Central Principle of the American Revolution

The consent of the governed is a core principle of American democracy. Without it, governments will inevitably fall into unchecked monarchy and authoritarianism. There are many blessings that come with the principle of the consent of the governed. It puts in place the central teaching that no man should have too much power and governments must be held accountable to the people who are being governed. It was the basis for the American Revolution and plays a critical role in modern democratic governance. 

Let us define the term: Consent of the governed means that government’s authority comes from the people. This is easy enough to understand, but how does it play itself out practically? Let's contrast this definition with that of a monarchy. A monarchy imposes its power without public input. This means the people are at the mercy of the presiding governing authorities and do not have a say in the laws or extent of governance. Consent of the governed was at the heart of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote in this foundational document, "Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This stands in stark contrast to the presiding power at the time, the British crown. 

The colonials voiced many grievances to the British crown. A phrase almost all Americans know today was born during this time, "No taxation without representation." The British Parliament was imposing taxes on the American colonies without having representatives in Parliament. A few examples of these taxes include the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts, which placed unforeseen taxes on everyday goods like paper, glass, and tea. This angered the colonists, for Parliament was acting on its own authority without taking into consideration how it would be received or viewed by the colonists. The outcome of the British overlooking the colonists was the Revolution. The American Revolution was born from the desire for self-governance and governmental accountability to the people. 

After the American Revolution was over, the principle of self-governance was established in the founding document of the U.S. Constitution. Citizens elect representatives to make laws. This is a grounded fundamental established in the Constitution. It preserves and protects all Americans from the tyranny of authoritarianism. This plays out practically through regular elections. This is a crucial element, for it allows citizens to vote out the bad guys if they have not represented the people well. Furthermore, the establishment of checks and balances within the government itself helps to prevent abuse of power. A question arises though. Do these principles matter today?

Governments will always strive to increase power. Power does, indeed, corrupt. That is why it is so vital for citizens to remain active today. It ensures government accountability and protects democracy. While some may think their voice does not matter, the power of individual voices was a principle which fueled the American Revolution. It is a gift to the current people of the United States. It will be removed if citizens voluntarily refuse to use it. Active participation is a requirement if citizens want to maintain their consent of government policies. This does not mean citizens must remain constantly vigilant and involved everyday. It does mean citizens engage in voting, staying informed, and engaging civically on issues they care about. Without this involvement, democracy risks becoming unrepresentative or authoritarian.

Consent of the governed fueled the American Revolution and shapes U.S. democracy. This will continue if citizens remain actively involved. It was engraved in the U.S. Constitution, remaining vital to the preservation of essential liberties today. Citizen engagement is, without question, absolutely necessary to maintaining this principle. Do you consent to policies and politicians that claim to represent you? If not, remember you have been given the blessing of holding your leaders accountable. Let us be thankful that we have the blessing of our individual voice and are capable of being active citizens of the United States of America.