Where does the government get its power? Sharing Powers Where does the government get its power? How does the Constitution both empower and limit the federal government? it gives the federal government certain powers but separates the powers among three branches.

The system of checks and balances was developed in the hope that it would provide to form “a more perfect union.” a UNION is an alliance that works to reach common goals. Why does the Constitution provide for a system of checks and balances? Why are these checks and balances important? to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Popular sovereignty – is the idea that the government derives its power from the people. Public agenda – is what people want from their government. Suffrage - Democracy – people rule and are free to make choices about their lives and their government. democracy is a form of government in which the people decide policy matters directly--through town hall meetings or by voting on ballot initiatives and referendums. A republic, on the other hand, is a system in which the people choose representatives who, in turn, make policy decisions on their behalf.