Questions: Arizona citizens have gathered petition signatures to put laws on the ballot, such as the medical marijuana law. Which Basic Principle of American Government is illustrated in this question? Popular Sovereignty Federalism Checks Balances

The answer is: Popular Sovereignty.

Explanation:

• Popular Sovereignty: This principle refers to the idea that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives. In this context, Arizona citizens gathering petition signatures to put laws on the ballot, such as the medical marijuana law, is a direct exercise of popular sovereignty. It demonstrates the power of the people to influence and create laws directly.

• Federalism: This principle involves the division of power between the national government and the state governments. While the medical marijuana law could involve federalism issues (since marijuana is illegal under federal law but legal under some state laws), the act of gathering petition signatures itself is more directly related to popular sovereignty.

• Checks & Balances: This principle refers to the system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful, by providing each branch with powers to check the others. The process of citizens gathering petition signatures does not directly relate to the system of checks and balances among the branches of government.

In summary, the act of Arizona citizens gathering petition signatures to put laws on the ballot is an example of popular sovereignty, as it illustrates the power of the people to directly influence legislation.