The Mirror Theory posits what relationship between government and society?

• A. The government should mirror the society it represents.
• B. The government should be separate from society.
• C. The government should be led by a monarch.
• D. The government should be limited by divine right.

Answer: (A)

Mirror Theory holds that government legitimacy comes from reflecting the society it governs. It argues that political authority should resemble the people’s makeup—demographics, social groups, and shared interests—so institutions, officials, and policies align with what citizens are like and want. When the government mirrors society, it better represents citizens and stays responsive to their needs because power embodies the same social texture as the population. This contrasts with views where government stands apart from society, or where authority comes from monarchy or divine right, which rely on sources of legitimacy other than reflecting the people.