Popular Sovereignty
People are the source of the government's power.
Example: The Constitution states in the preamble that the government's power comes from the people. The first sentence in the preamble begins with the words "We the people..."
Example: The Constitution states in the preamble that the government's power comes from the people. The first sentence in the preamble begins with the words "We the people..."
Republicanism
People get to elect their political representatives.
Example: Our Constitution says that we can vote for the President, vice-president, and members of Congress.
Example: Our Constitution says that we can vote for the President, vice-president, and members of Congress.
Limited Government
The Constitution limits the actions of the government by specifically listing powers it does and does not have. Basically, the government can only do what the Constitution allows it to do.
Example: The Articles of the Constitution state the powers of each branch of government. The President, for example, cannot declare war because the Constitution says that only Congress can declare war.
Example: The Articles of the Constitution state the powers of each branch of government. The President, for example, cannot declare war because the Constitution says that only Congress can declare war.
Federalism
In this government system, power is divided between national and state governments. The powers given to the Federal Government are stated in the Constitution. These are called enumerated powers. The 10th Amendment states that powers not directly stated in the Constitution are reserved, or left to the states. These powers are called reserved powers. Powers given to BOTH the Federal Government and state governments are called concurrent powers.
Separation of Powers
Each of the three branches of government holds some control over the other two branches. Separation of powers is important because it makes it so that no one branch has too much power.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government holds some control over the other two branches in order to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Individual Rights
Basic liberties (freedoms) and rights of all citizens are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, or the first ten amendments of the Constitution.
Example: One of our rights is freedom of speech (amendment 1). Another right is right to be free from illegal searches and seizures (amendment 4). These are just 2 of the rights, but there are many more listed in the Bill of Rights.
Example: One of our rights is freedom of speech (amendment 1). Another right is right to be free from illegal searches and seizures (amendment 4). These are just 2 of the rights, but there are many more listed in the Bill of Rights.