Which principle means that government authority comes from the people?

Which principle means that government authority comes from the people?

• A. Popular sovereignty
• B. Separation of powers
• C. Rule of law
• D. Federalism

Answer: (A)

Authority that comes from the people is the hallmark of popular sovereignty, the idea that a government’s legitimacy rests on the consent of the governed. In a democracy, citizens exercise power through voting, participating in public life, and choosing leaders and policies. The government exists to serve the people, and leaders can be chosen or removed based on the people’s will. This principle underpins how systems like the United States operate, with the notion that “we the people” authorize government authority. By contrast, separation of powers is about dividing government duties among different branches to prevent the concentration of power, rule of law means everyone, including the government, must follow laws, and federalism concerns the distribution of power between national and state governments.

Authority that comes from the people is the hallmark of popular sovereignty, the idea that a government’s legitimacy rests on the consent of the governed. In a democracy, citizens exercise power through voting, participating in public life, and choosing leaders and policies. The government exists to serve the people, and leaders can be chosen or removed based on the people’s will. This principle underpins how systems like the United States operate, with the notion that “we the people” authorize government authority.

By contrast, separation of powers is about dividing government duties among different branches to prevent the concentration of power, rule of law means everyone, including the government, must follow laws, and federalism concerns the distribution of power between national and state governments.