What phrase represents the idea of self-government in the Constitution?

The phrase "We the People" embodies the principle of self-government in the Constitution. This declaration signifies that the authority and legitimacy of the government are derived from the consent of the governed. By starting with these words, the Constitution emphasizes that it is the people who are the ultimate source of power, not a monarch or a select elite group. This foundational concept highlights the democratic ideals that underpin the nation, affirming that the government's role is to serve the interests and will of its citizens.

The other phrases, while significant in their own rights, focus on different aspects of governance or individual rights. "To form a more perfect union" stresses the goal of improving the nation's cooperative structure. "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" outlines fundamental rights and freedoms but does not explicitly convey self-governance. "We hold these truths to be self-evident" proclaims beliefs about equality and rights but similarly does not emphasize the concept of government deriving its power from the people. Thus, "We the People" stands out as the clearest representation of self-government in the Constitution.