What principle ensures that the government remains accountable to the citizens it serves?

The principle that ensures the government remains accountable to the citizens it serves is popular sovereignty. This concept is foundational in the American political system, embodying the idea that the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed. In a system based on popular sovereignty, citizens have the power to influence government and make decisions about their governance through voting and civic engagement. This principle guarantees that the government acts in the best interest of its citizens and remains responsive to their needs and preferences.

While checks and balances and separation of powers are also significant principles that help maintain accountability and limit government power, they focus more on the structure and functions of government rather than directly emphasizing the relationship between the government and the people. Federalism, on the other hand, describes the distribution of power between national and state governments but does not inherently address the accountability of the government to its citizens. Popular sovereignty is the most direct reflection of the idea that the government's legitimacy and authority depend on the will of the people, thereby ensuring accountability.