Principles of the Constitution

"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.

• Popular sovereignty
• Checks and balances
• Federalism
• Separation of Powers

"The House of Representatives... is elected immediately by the great body of the people."

• Popular Sovereignty
• Checks and Balances
• Rule of Law
• Separation of Powers

"The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

• Popular Sovereignty
• Checks and Balances
• Rule of Law
• Separation of Powers

"The unnecessary officer the Vice-President, who for want of other employment is made president of the Senate, thereby dangerously blending the executive and legislative powers..."

• Rule of Law
• Limited Government
• Popular Sovereignty
• Separation of Powers

Unless [the three branches] be so far connected and blended as to give each a constitutional control over the others, the degree of separation... essential to a free government, can never in practice be duly maintained.

• Popular sovereignty
• Checks and balances
• Rule of law
• Federalism

The government cannot prevent people from expressing their opinions.

• Popular sovereignty
• Judicial review
• Rule of law
• Limited government

Most criminal laws are passed by the states, not the national government.

• Federalism
• Checks and balances
• Judicial review
• Rule of law

Voters elect the president every four years.

• Separation of powers
• Checks and balances
• Popular sovereignty
• Judicial review

The Senate can approve or reject presidential nominations for the judicial branch.

• Checks and balances
• Rule of law
• Judicial review
• Popular sovereignty

The Supreme Court has no executive power to enforce its rulings.

• Judicial review
• Rule of law
• Separation of powers
• Federalism