"The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do for themselves in their separate and individual capacities. But in all that people can individually do for themselves, government ought not to interfere." —Abraham Lincoln, 1854 Which principle of government best applies the the quote?

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

You forgot to include the options of the question. However, we can answer the following.

The principle of government that best applies to the quote is the principle of popular sovereignty.

In July 1854, Abraham Lincoln wrote some notes and thoughts about the functions and objects of the government. That is when he wrote the above ideas stated in the question. What Abraham Lincoln meant was that the government was responsible to support American citizens with the right kind of infrastructure such as roads and transportation, that could facilitate progress and prosperity in the United States.

the correct answer is “opportunity cost”. opportunity cost is what a company misses out because it decided in one option over another one. in this case, the company decided to invest in building a factory so it gave up another possible benefit or profit in order to achieve success with the factory.  

trade-off is not the correct answer since it is a situation in which you accept losing something in return for benefits in other areas.

and finally, consequence is a general term used to accept what it comes when you make a decision. it can be a positive or negative consequence depending if the decision you took was the correct one.