A form of government where the ultimate authority to govern is vested with the people is

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the form of government where ultimate authority belongs to the people. The key phrase is "vested with the people."

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Republican: A state where the head of state is not a hereditary monarch and is usually elected. It describes how the leadership is structured, not specifically where ultimate authority lies. A republic can still be undemocratic.
• Oligarchy: Rule by a small group, such as the wealthy, military elite or a ruling clique.
• Autocracy: Rule by one person with absolute power, such as a dictator or absolute monarch.
• Democracy: From the Greek demos (people) and kratos (rule), meaning "rule by the people." Sovereignty rests with the citizens, who exercise it directly or through elected representatives. Abraham Lincoln described it as "government of the people, by the people, for the people."

Step 3: Solve by elimination

• B (oligarchy) places power in a few hands, so it is wrong.
• C (autocracy) places power in one person, so it is wrong.
• A (republican) is close, but it focuses on having no hereditary monarch and on elected office. It does not necessarily mean the people hold ultimate authority.
• D (democracy) directly matches "ultimate authority vested in the people."

Step 4: Answer The correct option is **D.

Exam tip: Link each word to its root: demo = people (democracy), oligo = few (oligarchy), auto = self/one (autocracy). When a question says "power with the people," think democracy. When it says "few," think oligarchy. When it says "one person," think autocracy.