What did the phrase "No Taxation Without Representation" imply for American colonists?

The phrase "No Taxation Without Representation" was a rallying cry for American colonists in the lead-up to the Revolutionary War, signifying their firm belief that it was unjust for them to be taxed by a government in which they had no voice or representation. Essentially, the colonists argued that they should not have to pay taxes imposed by the British Parliament since they did not have elected representatives in that body. This sentiment reflected the broader Enlightenment ideals of self-governance and the rights of individuals to have a say in their own governance. The phrase encapsulated their demand for a say in legislative processes that affected their lives and livelihoods, laying the groundwork for their eventual push for independence from British rule.