What term describes the belief that the common people should have control over the government?

The term that describes the belief that common people should have control over the government is Jacksonian Democracy. This concept emerged in the 1820s and 1830s during the presidency of Andrew Jackson, who championed the idea of increasing political participation for the "common man" as opposed to the elite. Jackson's administration focused on expanding suffrage to all white males, reducing property qualifications for voting, and promoting the notion that government should reflect the will of the majority.

Jacksonian Democracy also emphasized the importance of individual rights and personal liberties, setting the stage for greater political engagement among the general populace. This movement was characterized by a distrust of entrenched elites and institutions, advocating instead for a more direct representation of the people's will in the political sphere.

In contrast, Jeffersonian Democracy, while also advocating for the common man, held a different vision that emphasized agrarianism and a more limited government role in the economy. Elitism refers to a system where a select group holds power, countering the idea of populist governance. Plutocracy denotes a society governed or controlled by the wealthy, further distancing itself from the ideals associated with Jacksonian Democracy.