What governmental principle is highlighted by the phrase "We the People"?

The phrase "We the People" underscores the principle of popular sovereignty, which is foundational to the American system of government. Popular sovereignty posits that the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed. This means that power ultimately resides with the people, who have the right to determine the form of their government and the laws by which they are governed.

In the context of the Constitution, "We the People" signifies that it is the citizens who establish and empower the government. This principle contrasts with other governmental concepts, such as federalism, which deals with the division of powers between the national and state governments, or checks and balances, which ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful. Judicial review, on the other hand, refers to the judiciary's ability to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions. None of these principles encapsulate the collective authority and foundational role of the citizenry as explicitly as popular sovereignty does.