<P> John Milton wrote </P> <P> The power of kings and magistrates is nothing else, but what is only derivative, transferred and committed to them in trust from the people, to the common good of them all, in whom the power yet remains fundamentally, and cannot be taken from them, without a violation of their natural birthright . </P> <P> Similarly, Sabine notes the position of John Locke in Essay concerning Human Understanding: </P> <P> (Civic power) can have no right except as this is derived from the individual right of each man to protect himself and his property . The legislative and executive power used by government to protect property is nothing except the natural power of each man resigned into the hands of the community...and it is justified merely because it is a better way of protecting natural right than the self - help to which each man is naturally entitled . </P>

Where does the national government derive its power