Which of the following best describes the principle of popular sovereignty?

The principle of popular sovereignty asserts that the authority of a government is derived from the consent of the governed, meaning that the people have the ultimate power to make decisions about their governance. This concept is foundational in democratic theory, representing the belief that the legitimacy of a government comes from the people's will, often expressed through elections, referendums, and other forms of participation.

Historically, this idea emerged during the Enlightenment and was instrumental in revolutions such as the American and French Revolutions, where the move away from monarchic and absolute rule highlighted the belief that sovereign power should rest with the populace rather than a single ruler or ruling class. The adoption of this principle laid the groundwork for modern democratic systems, emphasizing individual rights and collective decision-making.

The other options—rulers governing without consent, the supremacy of monarchs, and the divine right of kings—reflect forms of governance where authority is concentrated in the hands of few or one, without direct involvement or agreement from the people being governed, which directly contradicts the essence of popular sovereignty.