Definition
Popular sovereignty holds that political power originates with the people, who create and authorize government through constitutions, elections, and civic participation.
Political Dictionary
Popular Sovereignty
Popular sovereignty is the principle that government authority comes from the people.
Why It Matters
It provides the democratic basis for legitimate government.
How It Works
Citizens choose representatives, approve constitutions, and retain ultimate authority to alter government through lawful means.
History
The principle emerged from social-contract and republican thought and appears in the Constitution’s opening words.
Example
State voters ratifying a constitution exercise popular sovereignty.
Common Misconceptions
- Popular sovereignty means every policy requires a referendum.
- It permits majority rule without rights.
- The term refers only to nineteenth-century slavery debates.
Related Terms
Related Topics
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