"Men being, as has been said, by nature all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent." - John Locke, Second Theatise of Government Which of the following statements would the author MOST likely agree with? All citions must have the right to vote in elections The government cannot selfe private property under any circumstances. A government is only legitimate if its citizens agree to be governed. Property rights are the foundation of all other natural rights

The answer is **C. A government is only legitimate if its citizens agree to be governed.**<br /><br />Locke's statement emphasizes the concepts of natural rights, freedom, equality, and independence. He argues that individuals cannot be forced under the political control of another without their consent. This directly supports the idea that a government's legitimacy rests on the consent of the governed.<br /><br />Let's look at why the other options are less likely:<br /><br />* **A. All citizens must have the right to vote in elections:** While related to consent, Locke's statement doesn't explicitly address voting rights. His focus is on the broader principle of consent to be governed. A government could theoretically derive consent through means other than universal suffrage (though modern democracies generally link the two).<br /><br />* **B. The government cannot seize private property under any circumstances:** While Locke believed strongly in property rights, this statement is too absolute. Locke acknowledged that governments could seize property under certain circumstances, such as for legitimate public use with due process (eminent domain).<br /><br />* **D. Property rights are the foundation of all other natural rights:** While Locke valued property rights highly, his quote emphasizes liberty as a foundational principle. He argued that individuals have inherent rights that precede government, and consenting to be governed is a way to protect those rights, including property rights.<br />