1. Ideals of the Constitution

2. Consent of the Governed
Popular sovereignty (consent of the governed) is one of our most cherished ideals
Appears in the preamble (opening sentence) of the U.S. Constitution
“We the people”
Government was established by the people of the U.S.

3. Goals of the Constitution
1. To form a more perfect union
Better union of states than under the Articles of Confederation
2. Establish justice
Courts and justice system that are fair to all
3. Insure domestic tranquility
Govt. should preserve peace

4. Goals of the Constitution
4. Provide for the common defense
Govt. should protect the country from its enemies
5. Promote the general welfare
Govt. should provide for the wellbeing of all people
6. Secure the blessings of liberty
Govt. should safeguard the freedom of all people

5. Representative Democracy
Representatives (elected officials) should govern by the consent of the people
Recalled or voted out if not citizens are dissatisfied
Our political system works because of majority rule- when disagreements occur, everyone accepts the decision of the majority
Majority must ALWAYS respect the rights of the minority

6. A Federal System
Powers of govt. are divided between the national and state governments
National (federal) govt. is centered in Washington, D.C.
Federal system refers to country’s entire system of govt.
All powers that the Constitution does NOT give to the federal govt. belong to the state governments

7. A Federal System Federal Govt. State Govt.
Delegated powers specifically given to federal govt.
Coin money
Trade with other countries
Take military action
Reserved powers are powers not specifically given to the federal govt.
Conduct state elections
Regulate trade within states
Establish local govt.

8. Shared Powers
Concurrent powers are shared between the federal and state governments
Collect taxes
Borrow money
Establish court systems
Charter banks
Enforce state and federal laws
Provide healthcare
If a state law conflicts with federal law, state must give way to federal govt.
Constitution makes this clear- laws of federal govt. shall be “supreme law of the land”

9. Defining the Government’s Powers
Constitution creates a stronger federal govt. than under the Articles, but framers made sure not to make federal govt. too powerful
Limited government- govt. with defined restrictions to its power
1215- English nobles force King John to sign Magna Carta restricting his power and providing certain rights to the people
English colonists brought these ideals with them

10. Defining the Government’s Powers
Govt. officials and elected leaders in the U.S. must follow the same laws as everyone else
Cannot do anything they wish just because they are in a position of power
First draft of the Constitution did not provide for the protection of states and individual rights from the federal govt.
Whether or not to add a Bill of Rights became hotly debated…

11. ? What is the definition of popular sovereignty?
List the 6 main goals of the Constitution
What is majority rule?
What is the difference between delegated, reserved, and concurrent powers?
Explain how we have a limited government in the U.S.