Which principle holds that government derives its power from the consent of the governed?

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Study for the Purdue Civic Literacy Test. Explore multiple choice questions and expand your knowledge with hints and explanations. Prepare to succeed!

Multiple Choice

Which principle holds that government derives its power from the consent of the governed?

Explanation:
Popular sovereignty is the idea that government derives its authority from the people, who grant power through consent and participation. This means the legitimacy of laws and leaders comes from the will of citizens, expressed in elections and civic involvement. The phrase “consent of the governed” is the direct representation of this principle, and it sits at the heart of democratic governance. The other ideas describe how power is limited, shared, or interpreted—how laws bind government, how power is divided among branches, and how courts can review laws—rather than where that power originally comes from. So the best answer is popular sovereignty.

Popular sovereignty is the idea that government derives its authority from the people, who grant power through consent and participation. This means the legitimacy of laws and leaders comes from the will of citizens, expressed in elections and civic involvement. The phrase “consent of the governed” is the direct representation of this principle, and it sits at the heart of democratic governance. The other ideas describe how power is limited, shared, or interpreted—how laws bind government, how power is divided among branches, and how courts can review laws—rather than where that power originally comes from. So the best answer is popular sovereignty.

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