What is the main idea of this passage?

The answer is B. “Governments are controlled by the people and exist to make sure that people’s rights are safe.”

The passage states that the powers of the Government are derived from the consent of the governed. This means that the power of the Government comes from the permission of the people. Therefore, we can say that Governments are controlled by the people in that aspect.

B. Governments are controlled by the people and exist to make sure that people’s rights are safe  

Explanation:

The above-mentioned lines taken from the Declaration of Independence ensures that the new government came into being to represent the consent of the people. It also stated that the rights of American citizens are secured.

Further Explanation:

The United States Declaration of Independence came in the second year of their ongoing war with the Britishers. This declaration explains and justifies their war with the mother country which could not fulfill its just role. Americans refused to pay taxes as they didn't have the power to elect members to the British parliament. And thus they rose the slogan of “No Taxation Without Representation”.

It was also the initial stage of a nation in making in which independent sovereign states came together to form a country against the unjust rule of the colonial mother country. There were discussions and ratifications before the thirteen states of America agreed for the signing of declaration. It was formally adopted on the fourth of July 1776 and its motives were widely discussed.

Each line of the declaration of independence has a depth of its own. They represent the political philosophy of the declaration and the power it gave to the government.

“ To secure these rights government is instituted among men”: It explains the very purpose of the government that governments derived its power from its citizens. This line further embedded with the meaning that one of the purposes of governments is to safeguard the rights of the men from where it derives its legitimacy.

“Deriving their just power from the consent of the governed”: This line further explain that the power of Government is to protect the citizen and their rights. The power is lent to them by citizens for meaningful purses and the government should always respect that.

Learn more:

About the purpose of the Declaration of Independence

link answered by Singing2inspire

About Why Was The Declaration Of Independence Written

link  answered by KatRose

Key words:  

The declaration of Independence, Thirteen states of America.

- "these rights are natural and god-given to all men equally." (i disagree cuz i kind of think it's 'a' but who knows.)