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Popular Sovereignty
What is i t?
Popular Sovereignty is the idea that the
People are the ultimate authority and the source of the authority
of government—is a fundamental principle of democracy.
Sovereignty means the right to rule and popular means the
population or public. In a democracy, the powers of government
are based upon the consent of the governed. Free elections and
other forms of civic participation are essential to democracy.
Elected officials are always accountable to the people. By the
majority vote citizens decide who is going to govern them.
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Basic Understanding
1. In a government that subscribes to the principle of popular sovereignty, who has all of the power?
2. Explain. this phrase: "Powers of government are based upon the consent of the governed."
3. Using Popular Sovereignty, citizens decide on who will govern them. What is your definition of a citizen?
What do you think it takes to be a good citizen?
Historical Context
Where did this idea come from? Why was it important to the founding fathers? Let's take a look!!!
How did the ideas of Thomas
Hobbes and John Locke
influence popular sovereignty?
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How did the Magna Carta
influence the power of the
King?
Where did kings get the power to rule?
...All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the
People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,
laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in
such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety
and Happiness. — Thomas Jefferson The Declaration of
Independence
IN THE LIVING CONSTITUTION
Where do we find examples of Popular Sovereignty in the
Constitution?
According to Article 2,
Section 1, how do we elect
the President?
1
How does the electoral college work?
Look at the following parts of the Constitution and
tell how they show the idea of popular sovereignty.
Article 1, Section
2
Amendments 15, 19, 23 and 26
In your opinion, is the electoral college an
example of pure popular sovereignty? Why or why
not?
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Amendment 22
"WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES—DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH
THIS CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
How does the quote above reflect the principle of popular sovereignty?
Popular Sovereignty only works if people are good CITIZENS.
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Some people are BORN CITIZENS, others BECOME
CITIZENS
Requirements to become a
citizen
Steps to be
NATURALIZED
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Responsibilities of Citizens
afIZENSHIp