Questions: 9. The Declaration of Independence states that governments A. can establish standing armies without the consent of the legislatures. B. derive their powers from the consent of the governed. C. do not have the right to tax those they govern. D. have divine rights that set them above the people they govern.

9. The Declaration of Independence states that governments
A. can establish standing armies without the consent of the legislatures.
B. derive their powers from the consent of the governed.
C. do not have the right to tax those they govern.
D. have divine rights that set them above the people they govern.
Transcript text: $\qquad$ 9. The Declaration of Independence states that governments A. can establish standing armies without the consent of the legislatures. B. derive their powers from the consent of the governed. C. do not have the right to tax those they govern. D. have divine rights that set them above the people they govern.
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Solution

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Answer

The answer is B. derive their powers from the consent of the governed.

Explanation
Option A: The Declaration of Independence does not state that governments can establish standing armies without the consent of the legislatures. In fact, one of the grievances listed against King George III was the maintenance of standing armies in peacetime without the consent of the colonies' legislatures.
Option B: This is correct. The Declaration of Independence emphasizes that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. This principle is a cornerstone of democratic governance and reflects the Enlightenment ideas of social contract theory, particularly those of philosophers like John Locke.
Option C: The Declaration of Independence does not claim that governments do not have the right to tax those they govern. Instead, it criticizes the British government for imposing taxes on the colonies without their consent, highlighting the lack of representation in the decision-making process.
Option D: The Declaration of Independence rejects the notion of divine rights of kings, which was a common justification for monarchical rule at the time. Instead, it asserts that all men are created equal and that governments are instituted to secure the rights of the people, not to be above them.
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