Principles of Government with Examples

What is Federalism?

• The division of power between the national and state governments

• The idea that all power should belong to one central government

• A government system where citizens elect representatives to make laws

• Ensuring one branch of government has absolute control

Which principle is defined as the belief that government should only have the power given by the Constitution?

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Limited Government

• Popular Sovereignty

What is Republicanism?

• A system where the national government has unlimited power

• A form of government where people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf

• A structure where each branch of government checks the power of the others

• The right of citizens to veto government laws

What does Separation of Powers refer to?

• The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power

• The right of states to create their own laws without federal input

• Ensuring that citizens have a voice in government

• Limiting government to one unified branch

Which principle ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch certain controls over the others?

• Popular Sovereignty

• Checks and Balances

• Individual Rights

• Federalism

What are Individual Rights?

• The responsibilities that citizens must uphold

• Protections and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution for all citizens

• The power of the president to create laws

• The rights of states to make independent decisions

What is Popular Sovereignty?

• The right of the government to impose its will without consent

• The principle that government power comes from the people and they have the right to rule themselves

• The balance of power between the federal and state governments

• The practice of electing officials to make decisions on behalf of citizens

Which of the following shows Federalism at work?

• The Supreme Court reviewing laws for constitutionality

• State governments running their own elections

• Congress passing a national healthcare bill

• The president issuing an executive order

Which scenario is an example of Limited Government?

• The president vetoing a bill passed by Congress

• The government must follow the Constitution and cannot pass laws beyond what it permits

• A judge being appointed for life

• Citizens voting in local elections

Which of these is a demonstration of Checks and Balances?

• Congress declaring war without consulting the president

• The Supreme Court striking down a law passed by Congress

• State legislatures approving amendments to the state constitution

• Federal agencies creating their own rules without oversight