Chapter 4.1 Powers and Responsibilities Set up by US Constitution The US Constitution was founded on 5 principles –What was the goal? To make a government that would exist forever!

5 Principles of Constitution Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Federalism Popular Sovereignty

The people hold the ultimate authority A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them

Limited Government Framers wanted to guard against tyranny Government is limited to the power given to them in the Constitution. Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed

Separation of Powers No one holds “too much” power Legislative branch makes the laws Executive branch carries out the laws Legislative branch interprets the laws

Checks and Balances US Constitution prevents the abuse of power by one government by another. How? –Checks and balances Each government has a power over the another.

Federalism The division of power between State and National Governments –Best of both worlds…. Sort of. –How does it work? The National Government has the “supreme power” over all of the states BUT, states have rights guaranteed to them as well.

Powers of the federal government given by the Constitution 3 powers: –Expressed powers Powers written specifically in the Constitution –Implied powers Powers that are suggested in the Constitution by the expressed powers –Inherent Powers that naturally belong to any government of a sovereign nation.

Expressed Powers Powers that the Constitution specifically grants to the federal government Examples: –Article I, Section 8 Lists expressed powers of the legislative branch –Make laws –Regulate trade –Declare war, etc. –Article II, Section 2 POTUS is the Commander in Chief –Article III, Section 2 Supreme Court has final say on all cases concerning Constitutional rights.

Implied Powers Powers suggested by the expressed powers of the US Constitution Examples: –Article I, Section 8 Gives Congress power “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” –Necessary to ensure they can do their job. Sometimes called the elastic clause –Allows Congress to ‘stretch’ its authority in ways not specifically granted or denied

Inherent Powers Powers that naturally belong to any sovereign government –Not mentioned directly in the Constitution –Examples: Right for our government to deal with other foreign affairs –Such as United Nations, NATO, etc.

Powers Given to State Governments by the US Constitution Reserved Powers –Powers given directly to state governments Examples: –Regulate trade within a state –Establish local governments –Conduct local elections –Establish public school systems

Powers shared by federal and state governments Concurrent Powers –Powers that the Constitution neither grants exclusively to the federal government nor denies to the states. –Examples: Both federal and states can: –Establish and enforce laws –Collect taxes –Borrow money

As a review… Powers within the Constitution –Expressed powers –Implied powers –Inherent powers –Reserved powers –Concurrent powers –Defeat all Commies!!!