In a democracy, who holds political authority?

In a democracy, political authority rests with the people. This principle is fundamental to democratic governance, where the legitimacy of the government is derived from the consent of the governed. Citizens exercise their authority through various means, such as voting in elections, participating in civic activities, and expressing their opinions on public policy. The idea is that the government is accountable to the populace, and that elected officials are representatives who act on behalf of the will of the people.

In this system, the government exists to serve the interests of its citizens, and civil liberties and rights are protected to ensure that individuals can engage in the decision-making process. The role of the people in a democracy is to shape their government and its policies, often through mechanisms established to reflect their collective preferences and priorities.

The other choices represent entities that have specific roles within the government structure but do not embody the source of political authority itself. For instance, government officials may be elected representatives or public servants, but their power comes from the people. The military typically plays a defensive role and does not hold political power in a democratic society, while the judiciary interprets laws and ensures justice, but it is ultimately accountable to the will and rights of the people as well.