Which foundational principle refers to the idea that government derives its power from the consent of the governed?

The principle that government derives its power from the consent of the governed is known as popular sovereignty. This foundational concept emphasizes that the authority of government is justified and maintained by the will of the people. In a functioning democracy, the government is expected to act in the interest of its citizens, reflecting their preferences and needs through elected representation and policies.

Popular sovereignty underscores the belief that the legitimacy of governmental power comes from the participation and agreement of those it governs, meaning that the populace has the ultimate authority. This principle is often encapsulated in documents such as the United States Constitution, where the preamble begins with "We the People," highlighting that the government exists to serve the interests of its citizens, and that any governing power must be rooted in the consent of those governed.

The other principles mentioned, while important to the structure and function of government, do not specifically pertain to the source of government power. Federalism relates to the division of power between national and state governments, separation of powers distributes governmental authority among different branches, and checks and balances ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful. While all of these are crucial to understanding the framework of governance, they do not encompass the core idea that the power of government ultimately relies on the