What does the term "popular sovereignty" mean?

The term "popular sovereignty" refers to the principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically expressed through their elected representatives. This means that the ultimate source of political power lies with the citizens, who have the right to make decisions about their governance and to hold their leaders accountable.

In the context of democratic systems, popular sovereignty is foundational because it indicates that the legitimacy of government stems directly from the will of the populace. Citizens partake in the political process, such as through voting, to express their preferences and influence government policies. This concept is a core tenet of democratic theory and is reflected in many democratic constitutions around the world.

This principle stands in contrast to other forms of governance, where power might be concentrated in the hands of a few or derived from factors unrelated to public consent, such as monarchy or religious authority.