Which principle ensures that the government is accountable to the people?

Popular sovereignty is the principle that ensures the government is accountable to the people by affirming that the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed. This concept emphasizes that the ultimate power rests with the citizens, who have the right to influence and control their government through democratic processes, such as voting and civic engagement. When the government acts in alignment with the will and interests of the people, it demonstrates accountability and responsiveness to their needs.

The other concepts, while related to government organization and functions, focus on different aspects of governance. The separation of powers involves dividing government responsibilities among different branches to prevent concentration of power. Checks and balances refer to mechanisms that allow each branch of government to monitor and limit the actions of the others, ensuring no branch exceeds its authority. Judicial review empowers the courts to assess the constitutionality of laws and government actions, thus acting as a check on government power but does not directly relate to the concept of accountability to the populace.