What principle covers the right of people to revoke government power?

The principle that covers the right of people to revoke government power is rooted in the concept of "consent of the governed." This foundational idea asserts that governments derive their legitimacy and authority from the consent of the people they govern. When a government fails to protect the rights and interests of its citizens or operates outside the bounds of its authority, the people have not only the right but also the duty to withdraw their consent and revoke that power.

This principle plays a critical role in democratic systems, where the legitimacy of governmental authority is contingent upon its responsiveness to the will of the people. Historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, emphasize that governments are instituted to secure the rights of individuals, and when they become destructive to those ends, it is the right and responsibility of the people to alter or abolish that government. Thus, consent of the governed is an essential element in understanding the relationship between citizens and their government, highlighting the inherent power that resides within the populace to effect change.