1. The Constitution

2. 7 Major Principles of Government
Popular Sovereignty
Seperation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Individual Rights
Limited Government
Federalism
Republicanism

3. Popular Sovereignty “Authority of the People”
The people give consent to be governed and specify the powers and rules by which they shall be governed.
Has greater powers and influence, but also has specific limitations.
A system of interlocking responsibilities keeps any one branch from becoming too powerful.

4. Republicanism Voters hold the sovereign power in a Republican system.
The people elect representatives and give them the reponsibility to make laws and conduct government.
“A system of limited government where the people are the final source of authority.”

5. Limited Government
Framers agreed a strong central authority was needed, but they feared the misuse of power.
By creating a limited government, they restricted the government’s authority to specific powers granted by the people.
Article I of the Constitution states what powers the government has and does not have.
Other limits appear in the Bill of Rights, which guarantees certain rights and liberties to the people.

6. Seperation of Powers
To prevent any group from gaining too much power, the Framers divided the federal government into three branches.
Legislative Branch (Congress): Makes the laws.
Executive Branch (President): Carries out the laws.
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court): Interprets and applies laws.

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