What is the principle of popular sovereignty?

The principle of popular sovereignty fundamentally asserts that the authority of a government is derived from the consent of the people it governs. This concept is foundational to democratic governance and encapsulates the idea that citizens have the right to determine their own laws and policies through their elected representatives. In a system grounded in popular sovereignty, the legitimacy of the government is contingent upon the will of the populace, emphasizing the importance of public participation in the political process. This principle is a cornerstone of the United States Constitution and democratic theory, highlighting that ultimate political power lies with the people rather than any individual or ruling elite.

While some viewpoints advocate for direct engagement through voting on every issue, this is not the essence of popular sovereignty itself. Similarly, the notion that state governments possess their own sovereignty or that political participation is limited to the wealthy does not capture the comprehensive idea that the government exists to serve the will of the governed. These elements are tangential to the core notion of popular sovereignty, which centers on the relationship between government power and the consent given by the people.