Popular Sovereignty In The Declaration Of Independence Quote
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in the history of the United States. It was written in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson and it declared the thirteen American colonies independent from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence is not only a statement of independence, but it is also a statement of the principles that the United States was founded upon. One of these principles is popular sovereignty.
What is Popular Sovereignty?
Popular sovereignty is the idea that the people are the ultimate source of political power in a country. This means that the government gets its power from the people and that the people have the right to choose who governs them. Popular sovereignty is a key principle of democracy and it is enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration of Independence and Popular Sovereignty
The Declaration of Independence states that "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This means that governments get their power from the people and that the people have the right to choose who governs them. This is the idea of popular sovereignty.
The Declaration of Independence also states 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." This means that if the government is not doing what the people want it to do, the people have the right to change it. This is another aspect of popular sovereignty.
The Importance of Popular Sovereignty
Popular sovereignty is important because it ensures that the government is accountable to the people. If the government is not doing what the people want it to do, the people have the power to change it. This is essential in a democracy because it ensures that the government is responsive to the needs and wants of the people.
Popular sovereignty is also important because it ensures that the government is legitimate. If the government gets its power from the people, then it is more likely to be seen as legitimate by the people. This is essential in a democracy because it ensures that the government has the support of the people.
Conclusion
The Declaration of Independence is a statement of the principles that the United States was founded upon. One of these principles is popular sovereignty. Popular sovereignty is the idea that the people are the ultimate source of political power in a country. It is enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and it is a key principle of democracy. Popular sovereignty ensures that the government is accountable to the people and that it is seen as legitimate by the people.