1. Principle #1: Limited Government
Government has only the powers granted by the constitution
Requires all U.S. citizens, including government leaders, to obey the law

2. Principle #2: Republicanism
A system in which voters elect people to represent them in government
All government leaders are citizens who share the same rights and follow the same laws as the people they govern

3. Principle #3: Checks and Balances
The ability of each branch of government to exercise checks, or controls, over the other branches
The Texas Constitution lets each branch limit the power of the other two.

4. Principle #4: Federalism
A system of government where power is shared among the central (or federal) government and the states
Texas is part of a federal system (the U.S.A.)
It is no longer a separate entity (a republic)
Texas is legally equal to all other states

5. Federalism (Continued)
What each state CAN do:
Create laws (ex: marriage and property)
Create school districts and curriculum
Set minimum ages for:
Drivers licenses
Getting married

6. Federalism (Continued)
What each state CANNOT do:
Coin or create its own money
Create state laws that violate constitutionally protected civil rights
Create international trade agreements
Declare war (only U.S. congress can do that)
However, the USA has final legal authority over all of the states.

8. Principle #5: Separation of Powers
The division of basic government roles into branches
Texas and U.S. government have 3 branches
Each branch has specific powers that the others do not have
Some powers are shared (federalism)

9. Principle #6: Popular Sovereignty
All political power comes from the people
The idea that government exists with the consent of the governed (people)
Government has no right to exist…but it does exist because the people allow it to.

10. Principle #7: Individual Rights
Civil liberties and personal privileges guaranteed to citizens and protected by the Texas Bill of Rights
Ex: freedom of speech, press, religion, etc.
Rights are inalienable, meaning they cannot be:
revoked, removed, or violated
Rights may be:
violated or abused…if we aren’t careful

11. Free Speech and the Press
The Bill of Rights grants Texans rights of free speech and press meaning….freedom to express opinions verbally or in writing
This is important because in a democracy (like ours), it is essential that people and the press be able to express opinions without fear of government limitations.
The people have the right to remove or change government when, or if, it abuses our rights.