Civic Literacy Practice Test 2026 - Free Civic Literacy Questions and Study Guide

Popular sovereignty refers to the principle that the power and authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically expressed through their votes and participation in civic life. This means that the ultimate source of governmental authority lies with the citizens, who have the right to determine how they are governed. A government based on popular sovereignty is viewed as being representative of the people’s will, emphasizing that the populace has the right to influence legislation and government policies.

This concept is fundamental to democratic systems, where elected officials are accountable to the citizens who empower them to govern. It establishes a framework where the legitimacy of governance is derived directly from the people, reinforcing the idea that a just government reflects the collective choice of its citizens. By contrast, the other options suggest forms of governance that do not derive authority from the people, such as a single ruler imposing decisions or an independent government that operates without citizen influence. Popular sovereignty fundamentally rejects these notions, asserting that governance should always reflect the will and consent of the governed.