From where does all power originate according to the principles discussed?

The foundation of the idea that all power originates from the consent of the governed is deeply rooted in democratic principles and philosophies that emphasize individual rights and governance by the will of the people. This concept underscores that legitimate authority comes from the agreement and support of those being governed, reflecting a social contract between citizens and their government.

This principle is often associated with Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke, who argued that governments must be established with the consent of the people to be considered valid and just. This forms the basis for democratic governance, where leaders are accountable to the citizens, and power is derived from their collective agreement to be governed under certain laws and frameworks.

In contrast, the other options suggest sources of power that do not require public agreement or representation, such as dictate from a governmental decree, mandates from a monarchy, or statements in an independence declaration without ongoing consent from the populace. These methods imply a top-down approach to authority, which opposes the foundational principle of democracy that emphasizes power arising from the collective agreement of the people.