The Principles of the U.S.

Government

8.2.7 Describe the principles of government and the ways American constitutionalism preserves individual rights.

Principle’s

Popular sovereigntyRepublicanism

FederalismSeparation of powersChecks and balancesLimited government

Individual rightsMajority Rules

Constitutionalism

A principle is an important standard or law; the basic way in which something works.

Popular Sovereignty

A government in which the people rule

The government gets its power from the people

PEOPLE=POWER

Republicanism

The people vote for their representatives

“republican form of government”

Civic republicanism = citizens are informed about politics and participate in the process (I.e. voting)

*Federalism Power is divided between a

central or federal government and smaller governments (I.e. the states)

The state and federal government share power.

*Dual sovereignty means the shared powers are defined and separated

Separation of PowersPower or jobs are

divided into separate groups

Governing of separate areas prevents the abuse of power

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of the Government

Checks And BalancesEach of the branches of government makes

sure that the other is following the rules and doing their job correctly.

Each branch of government has some sort of control over the others. This is how they “check” each other

The President can veto a bill (proposed law)

The supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional

Limited GovernmentThe power of the government is

restricted.The Constitution lists the powers

denied to Congress (A1, S9).The Constitution forbids states to do

certain things (A1, S10).In American government everyone

must obey the law (citizens, powerful people, groups of people).

Individual RightsThe Bill of Rights protects people

from the government.The Bill of Rights and some of the

later Amendments guarantee certain individual rights are protected.

For example, people have the right to write or say what they believe without government interference.

Majority Rules

Decisions are made by the majority.

A majority is more than half (>50%)

Rights of the minority are protected by the Bill of Rights and elected representatives.

Constitutionalism

The government’s power is limited

The practice of government is regulated by a written constitution

The belief in a constitutional government

The Framers of the Constitution made the new system of

government and these principle’s supported their efforts to create a

strong and just government.