6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

1. Popular Sovereignty Pop=People, Sovereignty=Supreme Power Power is held by the People Example: 17th Amendment-People directly elect US Senators

2. Limited Government There are limits on the governments power. Rule of Law - Those who govern must also obey the law Example-Government officials can face punishment for breaking the law

3. Separation of Powers Power is divided between 3 branches Examples: Legislative Branch – make the laws Executive Branch – enforces the laws Judicial Branch – interprets the laws

4. Checks and Balances Each branch is checked by the other two to ensure no branch become too powerful Examples: Congress make laws President can sign or veto the law Supreme Court can declare Law unconstitutional

5. Federalism Power is shared between the state and federal government Example Expressed Power(Enumerated)-powers given specifically to the national government in Art 1: Sec 9 Reserved Powers-powers given to states (10th Amendment) Concurrent powers-powers shared between the state and federal government.

6. Judicial Review This is not technically a principle the founders thought about at the time, but was later granted power through a Supreme Court decision. Power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and government actions unconstitutional Marbury v. Madison-Court case that established judicial review