| The source or justification of sovereignty ("by God" or "by people") must be distinguished from its exercise by branches of government. In [[democratic]] states, [[popular sovereignty|sovereignty]] is held by the people. This is known as [[popular sovereignty]]; it may be exercised directly, as in a [[popular assembly]], or, more commonly, indirectly through the election of representatives to government. This is known as a [[representative democracy]], a system of government currently used in most western nations and former colonies. Popular sovereignty also exists in other forms, such as in [[constitutional monarchies]], usually identical in political reality as in the [[Commonwealth Realm]]s. Systems of representative democracy can also be mixed with other methods of government, for instance the use of [[referendum|referenda]] in many countries . | | The source or justification of sovereignty ("by God" or "by people") must be distinguished from its exercise by branches of government. In [[democratic]] states, [[popular sovereignty|sovereignty]] is held by the people. This is known as [[popular sovereignty]]; it may be exercised directly, as in a [[popular assembly]], or, more commonly, indirectly through the election of representatives to government. This is known as a [[representative democracy]], a system of government currently used in most western nations and former colonies. Popular sovereignty also exists in other forms, such as in [[constitutional monarchies]], usually identical in political reality as in the [[Commonwealth Realm]]s. Systems of representative democracy can also be mixed with other methods of government, for instance the use of [[referendum|referenda]] in many countries . |
| In this model, national sovereignty is of an eternal origin, such as nature, or a god, legitimating the [[Divine Right of Kings|divine right of kings]] in [[absolute monarchy|absolute monarchies]] or a [[theocracy]]. | | In this model, national sovereignty is of an eternal origin, such as nature, or a god, legitimating the [[Divine Right of Kings|divine right of kings]] in [[absolute monarchy|absolute monarchies]] or a [[theocracy]]. |