U.S. Citizenship Civics TestSystem of GovernmentMedium
A naturalization applicant is asked about the concept that the government's power comes from the will of the people. What is this principle called?
- AFederalism
- BPopular Sovereignty
- CChecks and Balances
- DJudicial Review
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Popular Sovereignty
Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives, who are the source of all political power.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Federalism is the division of power between national and state governments.
- C. Checks and balances is a system to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
- D. Judicial review is the power of courts to determine if laws are constitutional.
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.
- Government by the people, for the people
- Expressed through voting and elections
- Foundational principle of U.S. government
Memory trick: Popular sovereignty means the 'Populus' (people) are sovereign.