Hello friends welcome to Sonu live ,in this article I’m going to tell you about Civil Society which will help to write an assignment of POLITICAL THEORY(MPS-001) SECTION-II
Unveiling Popular Sovereignty: The Authority of the People
1. General Principle:
Popular sovereignty, the cornerstone of democratic governance, asserts that ultimate political power resides within the populace. Under this principle, the legitimacy of a government emanates from the consent of the governed. Leaders are regarded as mere representatives of the people, with their authority derived solely from the will of the citizenry.
Manifestations of Popular Sovereignty:
- Direct Democracy: Citizens directly engage in lawmaking. And policy formulation, although this approach is less common in contemporary nation-states due to logistical complexities.
- Representative Democracy: The prevailing form of democracy today, where individuals elect representatives to enact decisions on their behalf.
- Right to Revolution: Citizens retain the inherent right to overthrow any government that fails to reflect their collective will.
2. Specific Historical Context (US):
In the annals of US history, popular sovereignty assumes a distinct significance, particularly in the mid-19th century amid debates over slavery in newly annexed territories.
Navigating the Debate:
- Expansion Dilemma: The westward expansion of the United States posed a fundamental question: would the newly acquired territories permit or prohibit slavery?
The Doctrine in Practice:
- Advocacy by Senator Stephen A. Douglas: Popular sovereignty emerged as a proposed solution, advocating for local voting in each territory to determine the fate of slavery. Thereby circumventing federal intervention.
Unraveling the Consequences:
- The Kansas-Nebraska Act: Enacted in 1854, this policy engendered significant discord, culminating in the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. And exacerbating sectional tensions, ultimately contributing to the eruption of the American Civil War.
Supplementary Reflections:
- Inherent Complexities: While ostensibly democratic, popular sovereignty can engender contentious outcomes, as evidenced by its application to the slavery debate in the US.
- Contemporary Reverberations: Despite its historical context, popular sovereignty remains a pivotal tenet of democracy, underscoring principles of citizen engagement and governmental accountability.
By unraveling popular sovereignty’s dual interpretations—its universal essence and its specific historical resonance in the United States—one can appreciate its enduring significance in shaping democratic ideals and governance structures
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