Which concept expresses that a government's authority rests on the consent of the governed?

• A. Federalism
• B. Popular sovereignty
• C. Separation of powers
• D. Judicial review

Answer: (B)

Popular sovereignty means the people hold the authority to govern, and government legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed. This idea underpins democracy: citizens participate in choosing leaders, making laws, and can change those in power through elections, reflecting that authority originates with the people. In the U.S. framework, it’s echoed in the opening words We the People, signaling that political power rests with citizens. The other terms describe different constitutional arrangements: federalism is about distributing power between national and state governments; separation of powers divides government functions among branches to prevent tyranny; and judicial review is the courts’ ability to interpret laws and strike down those that clash with the Constitution. Thus, the concept that expresses consent of the governed is popular sovereignty.