The idea that government derives its power from the consent of the governed is known as?

The correct response is rooted in the concept of the social contract, which is a foundational theory in political philosophy. This idea posits that a government's legitimacy comes from the agreement and consent of the people it governs. Essentially, individuals collectively agree to form a society and, by doing so, establish a government that protects their rights and serves their interests.

The social contract emphasizes that the authority of the government is not inherent or imposed without the people's agreement. Instead, it is a construct that exists because the governed choose to support it in exchange for the benefits of organized society, such as protection and order.

While legitimacy refers to the general acceptance and recognition of a government's authority, and authority denotes the power or right to give orders or make decisions, these concepts are linked but do not capture the essence of the social contract. Democracy, on the other hand, involves systems of governance whereby power is vested in the people, typically through elections and representation, but this does not specifically address the foundational premise of consent from the governed. The idea of the social contract captures the philosophical underpinning that both democracy and legitimacy draw upon, making it the most fitting choice in this context.