Seven Principles of the Constitution

7 Principles of the

Constitution

How Does the Constitution Work?

Separation of Powers

⚫ Definition – The Federal government is divided into 3

branches - Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

⚫ This system prevents any one branch from gaining too

much power and turning the country towards tyranny.

⚫ Remember Charles de Montesquieu!

Checks and Balances

⚫ Definition – Each of the 3 branches of government

has a check on the other 2 branches. This balances
power between the 3, ensuring that none of the
branches seizes control.

⚫ Example – Federal judges are nominated by the

President, but have to be approved by Congress.

⚫ Bills must be passed by both houses of the

legislative branch, signed by the president, and
can even be challenged in the courts.

Federalism

⚫ Definition – Power is shared by the state and federal

government.

⚫ In our system, the national government does have

ultimate authority, but states have a lot to say in what
goes on as well.

⚫ Powers for the national government = delegated

powers,

⚫ Powers for the state government = reserved powers,
⚫ Powers shared between the national and the state are

concurrent powers.

Limited Government

⚫ Definition – The government only has the powers

given to them by the constitution.

Popular Sovereignty

⚫ Definition – The belief that people can and should

govern themselves; the people rule.

⚫ Example – People can run for office, campaign for

individuals who run, or protest decisions made by
others. Rule is not passed down based on blood line,
or military coup.

Republicanism

⚫ Definition – People vote for people to represent

their views in government. (Representative
Government)

⚫ You can’t have the whole population vote on

everything, so you vote on people who share
similar beliefs and allow them to vote.

⚫ Direct election of Senators and Representatives.

Individual Rights

⚫ Definition – Personal liberties (Unalienable Rights)

and privileges that people are born with and can not
be taken away.

⚫ The Bill of Rights, the first Ten Amendments, was

created to specifically ensure the rights of the people.