The Seven Principles of Government The Constitution is built upon seven basic principles of government. The Framers of the Constitution used these principles to create the “supreme law” of our land.

2Basic Principles Who were the framers? The framers were the builders of our Constitution These men debated for the interests of their states, the people, and the nation..

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4 Popular Sovereignty Definition: What does popular refer to? Population, or people. A sovereign king does what? Rule So together, Popular Sovereignty means?

5Basic Principles People Rule

6Basic Principles Popular Sovereignty (people rule) The Preamble to the Constitution begins with this bold phrase, The Preamble to the Constitution begins with this bold phrase, “We the People...” These words announce that in the United States, the people establish government and give it its power. The people are sovereign. Since the government receives it power from the people, it can govern only with their consent.

7Basic Principles Example: So how do we rule? Voting! The people’s power comes in the form of democracy. We have the right to push into a touch screen our choices for our government!

8Basic Principles Limited Government Because the people are the source of government power, the government has only as much authority as the people give it. Because the people are the source of government power, the government has only as much authority as the people give it. People Government Authority

9Basic Principles More…Limited Gov’t. Much of the Constitution, in fact, consists of specific limitation on government power. Our rights and freedoms protect us from Government rule. Bill of Rights Freedom of Assembly Freedom of Petition Freedom of Speech Freedom of Press Freedom of Religion No Cruel/Unusual Punishment Counsel, Fair Trial Privacy Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)

10Basic Principles More…Limited Government Limited government means that neither the government nor any government official is “above the law” and can overstep these constitutional bounds. Limited government means that neither the government nor any government official is “above the law” and can overstep these constitutional bounds. We the People No one is Above the Law, or Constitution

11Basic Principles Separation of Powers Government power is not only limited: it is also divided. Government Power Limited Power

12Basic Principles Separation of Powers The Constitution assigns specific powers to each of the three branches: Legislative (Congress), Executive (President) and Judicial (Supreme Court). The Constitution assigns specific powers to each of the three branches: Legislative (Congress), Executive (President) and Judicial (Supreme Court). (Congress) ( President) ( Supreme Court)

13Basic Principles Checks and Balances The system of check and balances extends the restrictions established by the separation of powers. Each branch of government has the built-in authority and responsibility to restrain the power of the other two branches. This system makes government less efficient, but also prevents tyranny by one branch. (p58)

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15Basic Principles People are sovereign Liberty and Rights!! Perform civic duties Corruption Republicanism

16Basic Principles Individual Rights The Bill of Rights guarantees certain individual rights Examples: Freedom of speech, religion, press Right to bear arms Due Process

17Basic Principles Federalism A federal system divides power between a central government and smaller, local governments. A federal system divides power between a central government and smaller, local governments. This sharing of power is intended to ensure that the central government is powerful enough to be effective, yet not so powerful as to threaten States or citizens. This sharing of power is intended to ensure that the central government is powerful enough to be effective, yet not so powerful as to threaten States or citizens. It also allows individual States to deal with local problems at the local level—so long as their actions are constitutional. It also allows individual States to deal with local problems at the local level—so long as their actions are constitutional. Federal Government State and Local Governments