Which concept expresses the belief that ultimate power resides in the people?

The belief that ultimate power resides in the people is best captured by the concept known as popular sovereignty. This principle asserts that the authority of a government is derived from the consent of the governed, meaning that the people have the ultimate say in the governance structure and political power. In a democratic society, this is often expressed through voting, where citizens choose their representatives and determine policy through elections.

Popular sovereignty is foundational to the idea of democracy, emphasizing that the legitimacy of the government comes from the will and agreement of the people rather than from any other source, such as a monarch or a ruling elite. This principle was heavily influenced by Enlightenment thinkers and has been integral to the formation of modern democratic governments, particularly in the United States.

Other concepts like federalism, which refers to the division of powers between national and state governments, direct representation, which pertains to the way individuals are represented in government, and constitutionalism, which emphasizes the role of constitutions in limiting government power, do not specifically capture the idea that power ultimately resides in the hands of the people. Popular sovereignty stands out as the concept that directly ties the legitimacy of government to its accountability to the population.