What concept emphasizes that government authority comes from the people?

• A. Federalism
• B. Popular sovereignty
• C. Checks and balances
• D. Separation of powers

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is popular sovereignty, which is a fundamental principle of democratic governance. Popular sovereignty emphasizes that the power and authority of the government are derived from the consent of the governed, meaning that the legitimacy of government is based on the will and participation of the people. This concept is rooted in the idea that citizens have the right to determine their own governance, and it is reflected in various aspects of the U.S. Constitution, including the preamble that begins with "We the People."

In contrast, federalism refers to the division of powers between national and state governments, which does not directly address the source of governmental authority. Checks and balances is a mechanism designed to ensure that no single branch of government becomes too powerful, maintaining oversight among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Separation of powers involves distributing powers among these branches to prevent the concentration of authority. While checks and balances and separation of powers are crucial for protecting democracy, they do not specifically highlight where the government’s authority originates. Thus, popular sovereignty is the key concept that encapsulates the principle that government derives its power from the people.