Which aspect of governance does "government derives power from the consent of the governed" illustrate?

The concept that "government derives power from the consent of the governed" illustrates popular sovereignty, which is a fundamental principle in democratic governance. This principle emphasizes that the authority of the government is granted by the will of the people and that citizens have the right to shape their government through elections and public opinion.

In essence, popular sovereignty reinforces the idea that the legitimacy of any government action is rooted in the consent given by the populace. It emphasizes that the government exists to serve the interests of the people and that the people have the ultimate power to influence governmental decisions and policies.

This idea distinguishes democratic systems from autocratic ones, where power is often seized or maintained without the approval of the governed population. In a system grounded in popular sovereignty, the role of the citizens is crucial; they have the power to change their leadership and laws through democratic processes.

While the other options like separation of powers, checks and balances, and factions are important components of governance, they do not capture the essence of the relationship between the government and the people as effectively as popular sovereignty does.