Principles of the Government

Form of government in which those who are in the government are elected by the people of a nation; representative government.

• Republicanism
• Checks and Balances
• Federalism
• Separation of Powers

System of government where power is either checked or is balanced between the different branches of government.

• Separation of Powers
• Checks and Balances
• Republicanism
• Federalism

The relationship between the national (federal) government and the governments of the states. Powers are divided between the two.

• Checks and Balances
• Judicial Review
• Federalism
• Separation of Powers

To divide the power of government between separate branches.

• Federalism
• Republicanism
• Individual Rights
• Separation of Powers

Citizens of a nation vote for those in power or directly vote for laws that govern.

• Popular Sovereignty
• Judicial Review
• Checks and Balances
• Individual Rights

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views

• Separation of Powers
• Individual Rights
• Federalism
• Republicanism

The power of those in power has restrictions set forth by a constitution, or other governing authority

• Republicanism
• Federalism
• Limited Government
• Individual Rights

the power of a court to review a law for constitutionality and strike down that law if it believes the law to be unconstitutional.

• Separation of Powers
• Checks and Balances
• Republicanism
• Judicial Review

“The powers of the Legislature are defined and limited; and [so] that those limits may not be mistaken or forgotten, the Constitution is written.” Thurgood Marshall

• Federalism
• Individual Rights
• Separation of Powers
• Judicial Review

“In [creating] a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, [make it control itself.” —The Federalist No. 51

• Separation of Powers
• Limited Government
• Federalism
• Republicanism