What does citizens' consent to the law affirm?

Citizens' consent to the law affirms the legitimacy of the government because it reflects the fundamental principle that a government's authority is derived from the approval and acceptance of its citizens. In a democratic society, laws are created and enforced not in isolation but with the understanding that citizens have a role in the governance process. When individuals comply with laws, they signal their acknowledgment of the government's right to enact and enforce those laws, thereby upholding its legitimacy. This concept is rooted in social contract theory, where the government's power is contingent upon the consent of the governed.

The other options, while related to governance and societal function, do not directly address the core idea of legitimacy. The existence of democracy involves broader principles of representation and participation, rather than consent to specific laws. Government funding relates to the operational capacity of the government, and law enforcement pertains to the mechanisms of upholding laws but does not inherently establish the government’s legitimacy.