In which document is the concept of popular sovereignty most prominently featured?

The concept of popular sovereignty, which emphasizes that the power of government is derived from the consent of the governed, is most prominently featured in the Constitution. The Constitution begins with the phrase "We the People," highlighting the idea that the authority of the government is rooted in the will of the people. This principle is foundational to democratic governance, asserting that the legitimacy of government comes from its ability to reflect the desires and needs of its citizens.

In contrast, while the Declaration of Independence articulates the importance of individual rights and the idea that governments are instituted to secure those rights, it does not explicitly outline the mechanisms of popular sovereignty in the same way the Constitution does. The Articles of Confederation established a system of government that was more about the states than the national populace, lacking an explicit foundation for popular sovereignty. The Bill of Rights, although crucial in protecting individual liberties, focuses on enumerated rights rather than the overarching concept of government deriving its power from the people. Thus, the Constitution remains the key document that encapsulates and operationalizes the idea of popular sovereignty.