What concept refers to the idea that power resides in the people?

Prepare for the Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations to gear up for your test successfully!

The concept that power resides in the people is known as popular sovereignty. This principle is foundational in democratic systems and emphasizes that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its governed citizens, who have the right to choose their representatives and influence legislation. It signifies that the people hold the ultimate power and responsibility in decision-making within their government.

In contrast, limited government refers to the principle that governmental power should be restricted to protect individual rights and liberties, focusing on ensuring that the government does not overreach its authority. Judicial review involves the power of courts to assess the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions, serving as a check on power but not directly addressing the source of that power. Federalism is the division of power between national and state governments, which also does not specifically convey the idea that power resides in the people as a core concept. Thus, popular sovereignty most precisely encapsulates the belief that the source of governmental power lies with the people.