Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.
This concept has its roots in the Enlightenment era and was popularized by political philosophers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. It gained prominence during the American Revolution and was a central idea in the founding of the United States.
Popular sovereignty is a foundational principle in democratic governments, where the people have the right to participate in decision-making through voting and other forms of civic engagement.
Popular sovereignty influences the structure and functioning of governments, as it emphasizes the importance of elected officials being accountable to the people and making decisions that reflect the will of the majority.