Indeed, the assertion that government derives its power from the consent of the governed was a significant and revolutionary concept put forth by the American colonists in 1776. It is famously articulated in the opening lines of the United States Declaration of Independence, which states:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
This idea challenged the prevailing notion at the time that governments derived their authority from divine right or through the rule of monarchs. Instead, the American colonists asserted that governments should be based on the consent and agreement of the people they govern. This concept of popular sovereignty laid the foundation for the establishment of a democratic system in the newly formed United States.
The idea of government by consent of the governed has since become a fundamental principle of democratic governance worldwide. It influenced subsequent democratic movements and the drafting of constitutions in various nations, emphasizing the importance of citizen participation, elections, and accountability of those in power