what is popular sovereignty
Summary and Definition of Popular Sovereignty. Definition and Summary: In the United States of America all political power resides in the people. The American people are sovereign. Popular Sovereignty is a doctrine or belief that government is created by and subject to the will of the people.
Popular sovereignty indicates that the mandate of the people created government, and that political power comes from the people. However, in practice, political leaders abuse their power because they consider themselves sovereigns, instead of public servants.