What concept allows the government to exist while also granting power to the people?

The concept of popular sovereignty is fundamental in understanding the relationship between government and the people. It asserts that the authority of the government stems from the consent of the governed, meaning that the power lies with the people. This principle is rooted in democratic theory and ensures that citizens have a say in their government, whether through voting or other forms of civic engagement.

Popular sovereignty emphasizes that the legitimacy of government is derived from the will of the people, allowing for a system where officials are held accountable to the electorate. This concept underpins many democratic governments, ensuring that even while the government operates and enacts laws, it does so with the permission and support of its citizens.

In contrast, federalism refers to the division of power between national and state governments, and judicial review involves the courts' ability to determine the legality of laws and actions. The separation of powers is the distribution of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. While these concepts are vital for the structure and function of government, they do not encapsulate the idea of government deriving its authority directly from the people as effectively as popular sovereignty does.