What principle of the Constitution gives power to the people?

The principle of the Constitution that gives power to the people is popular sovereignty. This concept is foundational to American democracy, emphasizing that the authority of government is derived from the consent of the governed. In simpler terms, it means that the ultimate power rests with the people, who exercise that power through voting and participation in the political process.

This principle is crucial in ensuring that government officials are accountable to the electorate, and that the rights and opinions of the citizenry are central to governance. Popular sovereignty is evident in various facets of the democratic process, including elections, referendums, and the establishment of laws that reflect the will of the majority.

In contrast, the other choices reflect different aspects of governance. Federalism involves the distribution of power between national and state governments, limited government restricts the powers of the government to protect individual liberties, and separation of powers divides the government into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. While these principles also contribute to the functioning of American democracy, they do not specifically address the concept of power residing in the hands of the people like popular sovereignty does.