Popular Sovereignty
Definition: The Preamble to the
Constitution begins with this bold phrase: “We the people…” These words announce
that in the Untied States, the people establish the government and give it its
power. The people are sovereign. Since the government receives its power from
the people, it can govern only with their consent.
Constitution begins with this bold phrase: “We the people…” These words announce
that in the Untied States, the people establish the government and give it its
power. The people are sovereign. Since the government receives its power from
the people, it can govern only with their consent.
How Has it Been Applied Today?
Example 1:
“We the people…” (U.S. Constitution)
- In the United States Constitution, the phrase "We the People" means
the people are the government. The people both establish and determine roles in
government. This is the basis of popular sovereignty.
“We the people…” (U.S. Constitution)
- In the United States Constitution, the phrase "We the People" means
the people are the government. The people both establish and determine roles in
government. This is the basis of popular sovereignty.
.
Example 2:
People have the right to vote for government
officials.
- The people determine who takes
office in the government. This is a strong example of popular sovereignty as no
government official may take office unless the people allow it; showing that the
true power of government rests within the
people.
Example 2:
People have the right to vote for government
officials.
- The people determine who takes
office in the government. This is a strong example of popular sovereignty as no
government official may take office unless the people allow it; showing that the
true power of government rests within the
people.
Example 3: Propositions
cannot passed unless by the consent of the
people.
- The power of the people is further asserted as certain laws and restrictions cannot
be passed unless a vote is taken, determining what the people believe to be the
best choice.
But How Has it Been Applied Over Time?
Magna Carta (1215): People established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute.
- The signing of the Magna Carta demonstrates popular sovereignty as the king was
forced (by the people) to sign the document, limiting his
power.
Visit http://www.constitution.org/eng/magnacar.htm to learn more.
English Bill of Rights (1689): Established all elections of parliament to be free.
- This demonstrates popular sovereignty as elections, in the first place, were determined by the people.
Free elections, however subtle, demonstrate popular sovereignty.
visit http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/england.asp to learn more.
- This demonstrates popular sovereignty as elections, in the first place, were determined by the people.
Free elections, however subtle, demonstrate popular sovereignty.
visit http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/england.asp to learn more.
First State Constitutions (1776-1780): Government can only exist and function under the consent of the governed
- Demonstrates popular sovereignty as the government is established and controlled by the people.
visit http://teachergenius.teachtci.com/the-first-state-constitutions/ to learn more
First State Constitutions (1787-1780): The people hold power and the people are sovereign.
-Clearly demonstrates the ideals of popular sovereignty by stating that the people hold power.
visit http://teachergenius.teachtci.com/the-first-state-constitutions to learn more.
Charter Colonies: The governors of Connecticut and Rhone Island were elected each year by the white,
male property owners in each colony.
-Though discriminative, this demonstrates popular sovereignty as the governors were elected by the governed.
visit http://historion.net/brief-history-united-states/chapter-vii-how-colonies-were-governed to learn more
Virginia Plan (1787): The members of the lower house, the House of Representatives,
were to be popularly elected in each State.
- Demonstrates popular sovereignty as official could not take office unless by vote from the populous.
visit http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=7 to learn more.
New Jersey Plan (1787): With the majority of state governs agreement executive could be
removed
- Demonstrates popular sovereignty as the governed (people) had the authority to remove a government executive from office.
visit http://www.usconstitution.net/plan_nj.html to learn more.
Connecticut Compromise (1787): House of Representatives would be based on state population.
- Demonstrates popular sovereignty as the House of Representatives takes the people into account and cannot form without this.
visit http://teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/themes/5.html to learn more.
3/5 Compromise (1787): Stated that all free persons should be counted
- Demonstrates popular sovereignty as all freed slaves were given the right to determine government officials.
visit http://www.teachingcompany.com/cp4/MDHickey.html to learn more.
3/5 Compromise (1787): Stated that all non-free persons be counted as 3/5 of a person
- Demonstrates popular sovereignty by still allowing non-free persons to determine who takes office; however at a cost of 3/5 of a vote.
visit http://www.teachingcompany.com/cp4/MDHickey.html to learn more.