What’s it all about?

The Six Basic Principles

Constitutionalism – government must be conducted according to constitutional principles

Veto – reject or overturn and act of CongressUnconstitutional – declare illegal, null and

void of no force and effect

Quick Vocab

As the “Supreme law of the land” it remains an incredibly important document in our society

It’s 7000 words form the foundation of our government

It has a preamble (introduction) and seven articles27 amendments

It has six basic principlesPopular Sovereignty Limited GovernmentSeparation of PowersChecks and Balances Judicial ReviewFederalism

The Constitution

Popular Sovereignty Quite simply, power

resides with the people

Consent of the governed

First stated in the Declaration, now in the Preamble

Similar concept in each state

Popular Sovereignty

Limited GovernmentNo government is “all-

powerful”Goes hand in hand with

popular sovereigntyThe power comes from

the people, and it only has the authority the people give it

Sometimes referred to as the “rule of law”

Government is always subject to the law

No one is above it

Separation of PowersThis concept was not new

State constitutions during the revolution

Contrast to the current British system

Our government is separated into three distinct branchesCongress makes the lawsPresident

enforces/executes/administers the laws

Federal Courts (Supreme Court) reviews the laws

The system of checks and balances is fairly complexPowers that help check the other two branchesSome examples:

Presidents can veto Congresses bills/lawsCongress can overturn a veto

The President gets to appoint judgesThe Senate can not confirm the appointment

The President commands the armyThere is no army without congress

Because of this system of checks and balances, compromise usually rules the day Judges are generally picked because of their likelihood of

confirmationLaws are passed with their likelihood of signage in mind

Checks and Balances

Checks and Balances

Part of the system of checks and balancesPower (of the courts) to determine if a government

action is legal or illegal (unconstitutional)Held by all federal courts and most state courtsThe concept is not explicitly stated in the constitution

but impliedFirmly established with Marbury v. Madison in 1803Courts generally uphold the governmental position

150 have been overturned on the federal levelOver 1,100 state laws have been ruled unconstitutional

Judicial Review

Judicial Review

FederalismNational government

holds some powerState governments

hold some powerCombination of both

worldsStrong central

government State and local

control as well

Separation of Powershttp://www.c-spanarchives.org/clip/3990284

Limited Governmenthttp://www.c-spanarchives.org/clip/3989793

Checks and Balanceshttp://www.c-spanarchives.org/clip/3989776

Popular Sovereignty http://www.c-spanarchives.org/clip/3989568

Federalismhttp://www.c-spanarchives.org/clip/3989791

Principles in Action