Meaning: This quote by Andrew Jackson highlights the fundamental principle of democracy that the power of the government ultimately resides with the people. It emphasizes the concept of popular sovereignty, which asserts that the authority of the government is derived from the consent and will of the people. Jackson's words underscore the idea that in a democratic system, the citizens are not merely passive subjects of the government but rather active participants who collectively exercise authority through the elected representatives who serve as their agents in administering the government.

Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, was a central figure in the development of American democracy during the early 19th century. His presidency was marked by a commitment to expanding the influence of the common people in the political process, and his quote reflects his belief in the foundational role of the people in shaping and directing the government.

In essence, Jackson's quote encapsulates the concept of government of the people, by the people, and for the people, a phrase famously articulated by Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address. It underscores the idea that the government is not an entity separate from the people but rather an extension of their collective will and authority.

The notion that "the people are the government" has profound implications for the functioning of a democratic society. It implies that the government exists to serve the interests and needs of the populace, and that the ultimate source of legitimacy for governmental actions and decisions is the consent of the governed. This principle is foundational to the concept of political representation, wherein elected officials are entrusted with the responsibility of advancing the interests of their constituents and reflecting the will of the people in the formulation of laws and policies.

Moreover, Jackson's assertion that the people are "administering [the government] by their agents" reinforces the idea that elected officials are accountable to the citizenry. It underscores the notion of public service and the duty of elected representatives to act in the best interests of the people they serve. This concept of accountability is vital in ensuring that the government remains responsive to the needs and desires of the populace, and that it operates in a manner consistent with the principles of democracy.

By characterizing the people as "the sovereign power," Jackson emphasizes the ultimate authority and autonomy of the citizenry in a democratic system. The term "sovereign" conveys the idea of supreme power and independence, indicating that in a democracy, the people collectively hold the highest authority in determining the course of governance. This notion stands in contrast to forms of government based on autocracy or monarchy, where power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler or ruling elite.

In conclusion, Andrew Jackson's quote encapsulates the foundational principle of popular sovereignty and the central role of the people in a democratic government. It underscores the idea that the government exists to serve the people, and that the ultimate authority and legitimacy of the government derive from the consent and will of the governed. This quote serves as a reminder of the essential relationship between the government and the people in a democracy, highlighting the interconnectedness and mutual responsibility that underpin the functioning of a representative system of governance.