In a democratic system, who holds the ultimate authority according to popular sovereignty?

In a democratic system, the principle of popular sovereignty asserts that ultimate authority resides with the people. This means that the government derives its power from the consent of the governed, and it is the citizens who make decisions about their leaders and the laws that govern them through elections and other forms of civic engagement. This foundational concept emphasizes that the legitimacy of governmental power is contingent on the will of the populace, reinforcing the idea that the government exists to serve the interests and needs of its citizens.

In contrast, government officials, the military, and judicial systems operate as structures and functions within a democracy, but they are not the primary source of authority. Government officials are elected representatives tasked with executing the will of the people, the military is responsible for defense and enforcing laws, and judicial systems interpret laws but do not hold ultimate decision-making power. Therefore, the accurate representation of authority in a democratic system rests with the people.