The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?

Accepted answers

• Self-government
• Popular sovereignty
• Consent of the governed
• People should govern themselves
• (Example of) social contract

Explanation

"We the People" means the power of the government comes from the people themselves. This idea is called self-government or popular sovereignty: the people agree to be governed (consent of the governed) — a social contract.