Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

What critical argument did John Locke make regarding the role of government?

1. Monarchs should have absolute authority

2. Governments derive their power from the consent of the governed

3. Governments are divinely ordained

4. All governments should be hereditary

The correct answer is: Governments derive their power from the consent of the governed

John Locke's critical argument about the role of government centers on the idea that legitimate political power must be based on the consent of the governed. This concept is foundational to modern democratic thought and emphasizes individual rights and the social contract. In Locke's view, governments are formed to protect the natural rights of life, liberty, and property, and they exist solely because individuals agree to surrender some of their freedom to a governing body in exchange for protection and order. If a government fails to protect these rights or acts without the consent of the people, Locke argues that the governed have the right to alter or abolish that government. This revolutionary idea laid the groundwork for Enlightenment thinking and was influential in the development of democratic systems, particularly in shaping the principles found in documents like the Declaration of Independence. This perspective marked a significant shift from the traditional views of authority that were often rooted in absolute monarchy or divine right, which are reflected in the other options presented.