Which of the following describes actions taken by a government that violate liberal democratic values?

The correct choice, illiberalism, refers to a political system or actions taken by a government that undermine the principles of liberal democracy, such as individual rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law. In an illiberal regime, there may be restrictions on political freedoms, lack of independent judiciary, suppression of dissent, and limitations on media freedom. This perspective centers around the idea that even in a democracy, certain government's actions can contradict the core tenets of liberal democracy, thereby failing to uphold the rights and freedoms that are foundational to a truly democratic society.

In contrast, a social contract typically refers to an implicit agreement among individuals to form a government, emphasizing mutual benefit and cooperation, which aligns with democratic values. Political legitimization involves justifying government authority through moral or legal means, which should support democratic values rather than violate them. Formative governance describes the processes of establishing a governmental structure and policies, which can take place within a framework that respects democratic principles. None of these align with the idea of actions that actively violate liberal democratic values.