The principle of popular sovereignty posits that legitimate political authority rests with the people, the very people who are subject to that same authority. It is the principle underlying the idea of a government that would be “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” In this course, we employ a diversity of materials and methods to interrogate this principle, examining its origins in antiquity; the philosophical arguments, both ancient and modern, that have been advanced for and against it as a governing ideal; and the relationship between this principle and the practice of self-governance in several particular cases (examples may include ancient Athens, the early American republic, Weimar Germany, India’s anti-colonial struggle). Questions we address include: what constitutes “a people,” in what sense can it be regarded as sovereign, and how is inclusion within, or exclusion from, this group determined? In what sense has rule by the people been regarded as legitimate or good? In what sense and to what degree do institutions of representation such as legislatures embody the ideal of popular sovereignty? How is the will of the people conceptualized and expressed? What is the relationship, if any, between “public opinion” and popular sovereignty? The course will encompass both theoretical analysis and empirical research, aiming to bring diverse discourses into conversation. Readings will be drawn from a range of historical periods, geographical regions, and modes of investigation (philosophy, history, political theory, political science). Authors likely to be read include: Aristotle, Bateman, Bhattacherjee, the Federalists, Gandhi, Gerring, Hobbes, Katznelson, Plato, Rousseau, Tocqueville, Taylor, and Wheatley. This course will be taught in person in Annandale and Berlin, with occasional joint meetings and student collaboration across campuses. We will also host several guest speakers.