The idea of self-government is expressed in which three words of the Constitution?

The correct choice, "We the people," embodies the foundational concept of self-government in the Constitution. This phrase highlights that authority and power derive from the citizens themselves rather than a monarch or an elite ruling class. It emphasizes that the government is established by the consent of the governed, making it a direct reflection of democratic ideals. By beginning the Constitution with these words, the framers explicitly indicate that the document represents the collective will and agreement of the people, thereby establishing the principle that the government serves the interests of its citizens.

The other phrases, while significant in their respective contexts within the Constitution, do not capture the essence of self-government in the same way. For example, "To form a more perfect union" reflects the aim of uniting the states but lacks the direct reference to the people as the source of governmental power. Similarly, "We hold these truths" and "In order to secure" are important sentiments, but they do not convey the primary concept of authority residing with the populace.