Whenever the political laws of the United States are to be discussed, it is with the doctrine of the sovereignty of the people t

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问题     Whenever the political laws of the United States are to be discussed, it is with the doctrine of the sovereignty of the people that we must begin. The principle of the sovereignty of the people, which is always to be found, more or less, at the bottom of almost all human institutions, generally remains there concealed from view. It is obeyed without being recognized, or if for a moment it is brought to light, it is hastily cast back into the gloom of the sanctuary.
    "The will of the nation" is one of those phrases, that have been most largely abused by the wily and the despotic of every age. Some have seen the expression of it in the purchased suffrages of a few of the satellites of power; others, in the votes of a timid or an interested minority; and some have even discovered it in the silence of a people, on the supposition that the fact of submission established the right to command.
    In America the principle of the sovereignty of the people is neither barren nor concealed, as it is with some other nations; it is recognized by the customs and proclaimed by the laws; it spreads freely, and arrives without impediment at its most remote consequences. If there is a country in the world where the doctrine of the sovereignty of the people can be fairly appreciated, where it can be studied in its application to the affairs of society, and where its dangers and its advantages may be judged, that country is assuredly America.
    It has been observed that, from their origin, the sovereignty of the people was the fundamental principle of most of the British colonies in America. It was far, however, from then exercising as much influence on the government of society as it now does. Two obstacles, the one external, the other internal, checked its invasive progress.
    It could not ostensibly disclose itself in the laws of colonies which were still forced to obey the mother country, it was therefore obliged to rule secretly in the provincial assemblies, and especially in the townships. American society at that time was not yet prepared to adopt it with all its consequences. Intelligence in New England and wealth tended to keep the exercise of social power in the hands of a few. Not all the public functionaries were chosen by popular vote, nor were all the citizens voters. The electoral franchise was everywhere somewhat restricted and made dependent on a certain qualification. Which was very low in the North and more considerable in the South.
    The American Revolution broke out, and the doctrine of the sovereignty of the people came out of the townships and took possession of the state. Every class was enlisted in its cause; battles were fought and victories obtained for it; it became the law of the laws.
What observation did the author assert concerning the development of sovereignty?

选项 A、It began as a binding fundamental principle.
B、Americans envisioned two distinct ways of viewing society.
C、Fundamentally it extended throughout the region.
D、Its authority advanced in executive power.

答案D

解析 根据第四段的“Two obstacles,the one external,the other internal,checked itsinvasive progress”可知,有两种障碍阻碍了主权在民原则的扩散发展,一个是在外部,另外一个是在内部。第五段分析了具体的阻碍原因,然后第六段讲述美国革命爆发后,主权在民原则最终成为法律中的法律,即主权在民原则的执行力量得以加强,因此正确答案是D选项。
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