A government's legitimacy rests on consent from "summary" of The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine
Governments are instituted for the common good and security of the people, and their legitimacy is derived from the consent of those whom they govern. It is through the will of the people that governments gain their authority, and it is this consent that forms the foundation of their legitimacy. Without the consent of the people, a government has no right to exist, as it is the people who give it the power to govern. When individuals come together to form a society, they do so with the understanding that they are entering into a social contract with their fellow citizens and their government. This contract is based on the principle that individuals agree to abide by certain laws and regulations in exchange for protection and security provided by the government. However, this agreement is not static and can be revoked if the government fails to uphold its end of the bargain. If a government acts against the will of the people and violates the rights of its citizens, it loses its legitimacy and the consent upon which its authority rests. In such cases, it is the right of the people to withdraw their consent and to seek a new form of government that better represents their interests and protects their rights. This principle of consent ensures that governments are accountable to the people and that they must govern in accordance with the will of the governed. The idea that a government's legitimacy rests on consent is a fundamental principle of democracy and individual rights. It is through the consent of the governed that governments derive their authority, and it is this consent that ensures that governments act in the best interests of the people. Without the consent of the people, governments are nothing more than tyrannical regimes that have no right to rule. Thus, it is essential that governments always seek the consent of the people and govern in a manner that respects their rights and freedoms.
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