Ultimate political authority rests with the people. Which principle is this?

• A. Republic
• B. Popular sovereignty
• C. Public policy
• D. Participatory democracy

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is that sovereignty—the ultimate source of governmental power—resides in the people. This is what popular sovereignty means: government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, and the people have the power to shape or change their government through elections and constitutional processes. A republic, while it operates through elected representatives, still rests on the people’s authority, but the phrase describes the broader source of power rather than the specific structure. Public policy refers to the actual laws and actions of government, not who holds the ultimate power. Participatory democracy emphasizes citizen involvement, but the clear statement about where ultimate political authority lies points to popular sovereignty.