What is the concept of popular sovereignty?

The concept of popular sovereignty refers to the principle that the authority of a government is established and maintained by the consent of its people. This means that the legitimacy of government actions and structures comes directly from the will of the citizens, who have the ultimate power to govern themselves.

In practical terms, popular sovereignty emphasizes that the people are the source of political power and can express their will through voting and civic engagement. This concept is foundational in democratic societies, as it underlines the belief that governments must represent the interests and will of the populace.

While the idea that citizens can vote on government matters relates to popular sovereignty, it is not the entire essence of the concept, which encompasses broader themes of consent and legitimacy. Other options, like the notion of hereditary rights or power being exclusively in the hands of elected officials, do not align with popular sovereignty, which is fundamentally about the people’s authority to dictate how they are governed.