Constitutional Principles

The principle that a government's power comes from the people it serves.

• Popular Sovereignty

• Rule of Law

• Separation of Powers

• Republic

Answer explanation

Think: POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!

A government absolutely must have the approval of those it governs in order to do anything.

• Consent of the Governed

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

• Limited Government

Answer explanation

For a long time in human history, governments haven't cared what their citizens have thought...

The idea that a government only has the powers that are specifically given to it, say by a written constitution.

• Limited Government

• Popular Sovereignty

• Separation of Powers

• Republic

Answer explanation

It was very important for the Founders to ensure that the national government they created had very few, and very specific powers.

A type of government where the people elect representatives to serve (or represent) their best interests.

• Republic

• Dictatorship

• Oligarchy

• Communism

Answer explanation

A republic, or a representative democracy, has officicals represent the people that elected them.

Society is governed by laws, not people. Everyone, and everything in a society must follow those laws.

• Rule of Law

• Checks and Balances

• Republic

• Separation of Powers

Answer explanation

The English Civil War (1600s) resulted in the execution of Charles I for treason, a clear (and severe) example of the Rule of Law.

The US Constitution creates the three branches of government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) in order to divide power.

• Separation of Powers

• Rule of Law

• Federalism

• Checks and Balances

Answer explanation

Separation of Powers refers to the structure of government. The fact we have separate parts of our government.

The Supreme Court of the United States has the power to interpret the US Constitution through its decisions.

• Judicial Review

• Rule of Law

• Republic

• Federalism

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the constitutional principle of Judicial Review.

This principles enables each branch of the US Government to limit the actions taken by the others. Typically in the form of one branch needing approval from another.

• Checks and Balances

• Popular Sovereignty

• Separation of Powers

• Limited Government

Answer explanation

Checks and Balances specifically refers to the actions that can be taken by each branch. It is different than Separation of Powers, which only creates the three branches.