What term describes the government system where authority is derived from the consent of the governed?

The term that describes the government system where authority is derived from the consent of the governed is popular sovereignty. This concept emphasizes that the legitimacy of governmental authority comes from the people who are governed, meaning that the government must reflect the will and consent of its citizens. This principle is foundational in democratic systems, where citizens have the right to express their preferences through voting and other forms of participation.

In contrast, oligarchy refers to a form of government where power rests in the hands of a small group of individuals or families, often circumventing the will of the general populace. Dictatorship is characterized by a single leader or a small group having absolute power, typically acquired and maintained without the consent of the governed. Monarchy involves rule by a king or queen, which can exist with or without the consent of the people, depending on whether it is absolute or constitutional. Therefore, popular sovereignty uniquely encapsulates the idea that governmental authority is dependent on the consent of the people, highlighting the democratic principle that the power to govern derives from its citizens.