WEST-E Social Studies Practice Test

Which theory posits that rulers are chosen by a deity?

1. Social contract origin of state theory

2. Evolutionary origin of state theory

3. Divine right origin of state theory

4. Force origin of state theory

The correct answer is: Divine right origin of state theory

The divine right origin of state theory is centered on the belief that monarchs are granted the authority to govern directly by a divine entity. This theory not only legitimizes the ruler’s power as being ordained by God but also establishes a direct connection between the ruler's right to rule and religious belief. This concept was particularly prominent in European history, especially during the Middle Ages through the early modern period, where kings often claimed that their rule was sanctioned by God, making their authority unquestionable and absolute. In contrast, the other theories do not assert that rulers are chosen by a deity. The social contract theory suggests that the legitimacy of authority arises from an implicit contract between the people and their rulers. The evolutionary theory posits that governments evolved naturally from familial structures over time, while the force theory claims that states emerge through conquest and the use of force, with power maintained by coercion rather than divine approval. Each of these theories presents a different foundation of political authority that does not include divine selection, thereby underscoring the uniqueness of the divine right origin of state theory in its religious emphasis.