Final answer:
The terms 'popular' and 'sovereignty' refer to ideas widely supported by many people and the full right of governance without external interference, respectively. In a democracy, 'popular sovereignty' denotes that government authority is derived from the consent of the governed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word popular refers to something or someone that is liked, admired, or supported by many people. In a political sense, it also relates to ideas or practices that are widely accepted and prevalent among the general public. On the other hand, sovereignty is a political concept that defines the full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without any interference from outside sources or bodies. In the context of a nation, sovereignty refers to the ultimate authority within a territory.
Popular sovereignty is an important principle in democratic societies, underlying the concept that the legitimacy of a government arises from the consent of the governed. This principle suggests that the power of the government should only exist with the backing of the population's choice and that the population has the right to replace leaders through elections or other means if they believe someone else can better represent their interests.