We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

a term that refers to the characteristic and deep-seated beliefs of a particular people about government and politics

The united states was founded as a nation on a set of principles proclaimed in the declaration of independence

The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well being of others

the notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and so are entitled to equal treatment under law

holds that individual and group differences should be respected

policies are effectively decided through power wielded by special interests that dominate particular policy areas

a broad course of action, plan of action to guide decisions and achieve rational outcome

people who work for the government have authority, however authority is limited.

Policy is set through politics. Government makes policies due to the scarcity of resources.

everyone should excel on their own will. The fighting between groups determines where power will be distributed.