D. Popular Sovereignty
Popular sovereignty is one of the hallmarks of a democratic constitution and is an ideal developed in the nineteenth century inspired by the ideologies of great thinkers such as Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. The concept of placing power in the hands of the governed inspired the fall of several monarchies. The idea of popular sovereignty reversed the image of an all-powerful ruler to a ruler who rules by the consent of the ruled, and the ruler would treat his position and power to serve the needs of his or her people and look after their well-being. The ideas of popular sovereignty can be traced back to the political concepts emerging out of the social contracts school. The idea of popular sovereignty comes from the concept of social contract, by which individuals cannot exist alone, and thereby choose to vest their individual power in the hands of one person, who will provide them protection from ‘dangers from freedom of others’.
Further Explanation-
The concept of popular sovereignty is central to the functioning of a republic Government, which governs by the mandate of the citizens of the state, and represents them. The Republican Government governs according to the rules and clauses of the Constitution of the State, which vests them with their authority and responsibilities. The device of exercise of popular sovereignty is called elections, through which the public choose their representatives in the government. All adult citizens of the state, who do not have any serious disqualifications otherwise, are entitled to vote. Usually, they are eligible to vote on reaching eighteen years of age. This is called universal adult suffrage. Thus, free, fair elections, followed by popular sovereignty, a Government deriving power from the Constitution constitute the features of a Republic.
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Answer Details
Grade- High School
Chapter- Forms of Government.
Subject- Political Science.
Additional Remarks- This chapter talks of the various forms of government and their composition.
Keywords-
Popular consent, Constitution, elections, Republic, social contract, Universal adult suffrage.
