What is meant by the phrase a government for the people of the people and by the people?

Answer 1

That exact phrase comes from Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address", but the idea that governments can only be legitimate when the people themselves control them is much older. ______________________________________________________________________ Well, somebody's got a way with words! Anyways, the answer is, yes, ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Lu, meh!

Answer 2

That phrase has a world of meaning built into it. It means that the government derives its authority from the people and it must treat all its citizens the same. There must be no favored groups whose right take priority over another groups rights. There would be no hereditary, aristocratic social classes in the United States.

In fact, in our system, people form a social contract ceding their natural rights to an authority (government) to protect them from abuse by the stronger individuals.

Answer 3

that the people rule the government by voting for officials

Answer 4

Abraham Lincoln

Answer 5

Lincoln