What ideology does the Declaration of Independence reflect regarding government?

The Declaration of Independence prominently reflects the ideology that government derives its power from the consent of the governed. This principle is foundational to democratic theory and is articulated in the text itself, which emphasizes that governments are instituted among men to secure their unalienable rights, and that any legitimate government must be based on the approval and agreement of the people it governs.

This idea underscores the belief in the social contract, where individuals grant authority to the government in exchange for the protection of their rights and freedoms. When a government fails to uphold its responsibilities or acts against the interests of its citizens, the Declaration asserts that the people have the right to alter or abolish it. This revolutionary concept influenced the formation of a new government in America, highlighting the importance of individual rights and representative governance, and it stands in stark contrast to ideologies advocating for authoritarian control or governance through coercion.