The Constitution

Six Basic Principles

Six Basic Principles

1. Popular Sovereignty- People are the only source of governmental power.

2. Limited Government- Government is not all-powerful, it may only do those things that the people have given it the power to do.

Constitutionalism- Government must be

conducted according to constitutional principles.

Rule of Law- Government and its officers are

always subject to-never above-the law.

More Principles of the Constitution

3. Separation of Powers- The Constitution deliberately distributes the powers of the National Government among the Congress, the President, and the courts.

4. Checks and Balances- Each branch of government (Executive, Legislative and Judicial) is subject to a number of constitutional checks, or restraints, by the other branches. See page 58 for graphic.

More Principles of the Constitution

5. Judicial Review- The power to decide whether what government does is in accord with what the Constitution provides.

6. Federalism- The division of power among a central government and several regional governments.