What does 'Popular Sovereignty' mean?

'Popular Sovereignty' is a fundamental principle in democratic theory that emphasizes the idea that the authority and legitimacy of the government arise from the consent and will of the people. This means that the government is established to serve the interests of the citizens, who ultimately hold the power to make decisions regarding their governance—through mechanisms such as voting and civic participation.

In the context of American democracy, popular sovereignty was a response to historical governance structures where authority was often concentrated in the hands of a few or determined by elites. By asserting that government must be accountable to the populace, it fosters a system where the people have the right to influence policies and leadership, reflecting their values and needs.

The other choices highlight concepts that do not align with the essence of popular sovereignty. The idea that the government acts independently of the people undermines the core of democratic governance, which relies on the active engagement of citizens. The assertion that state governments possess all authority dismisses the federal structure where power is shared and balanced between state and national entities. Lastly, the concept of absolute power by a single ruler is fundamentally opposed to the principles of popular sovereignty, which inherently advocates for government authority derived from the consent of the governed rather than centralization of power in one individual.