1. Basic Concepts of American Government
Government is designed to protect citizen’s rights while managing national interests.

2. Basic Notions of Democracy
Each individual has worth
All individuals are equal
The majority should rule but must respect minority rights
Compromise is necessary
Each individual must have the widest possible degree of freedom
The nation’s free enterprise economy reinforces the belief in individual freedom

3. Constitutional Principles
Popular Sovereignty
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Limited Government
Federalism

4. Popular Sovereignty
People are the most important source of governmental power
The government operates with the consent of the people
The people hold the power
Influenced by the Declaration of Independence and Rousseau
Framers of Constitution valued because of their experience with a king
What role does popular sovereignty play today?

5. Separation of Powers
Prevents any one group from or individual from becoming too powerful so they divided the power:
Executive branch
Legislative branch
Judicial branch
Framers feared a powerful king

6. Checks and Balances
System that allows each branch to exert some control over the other branches, so that no branch becomes all powerful
Each branch has specified ways to check the power of the other branches

7. Legislative Checks Overrides presidential vetoes
Approves presidential appointments
Approves treaties
Taxes to provide services
Provides for defense/declares war
Regulates money and trade
Impeaches officials

8. Executive Checks Can veto laws Appoints high officials
Conducts foreign policy
Enforces laws and treaties
Commander in chief of the military
Recommends bills to Congress
Reports the state of the Union to Congress

9. Judicial Checks Settles legal disputes between states
Settles state and federal disputes
Settles disputes between States and foreign countries
Hears cases with ambassadors of foreign governments
Settles disputes between individuals and Federal Government
Can rule laws passed by Congress as Unconstitutional

10. Limited Government No government is all-powerful
A government may only do those things that people have given it the power to do
Influenced by the Magna Carta
Constitution contains many listed restraints on government power
What are some of the limits we have seen while studying the Constitution?

11. Federalism
The division of power among a central government and several regional governments
Federal/national government, state government, county government, school districts
Levels of government have specified powers:
National powers
Concurrent Powers=shared between state and national
Reserved Powers=State powers

12. The Division of Power National Powers Concurrent Powers State Powers
Coin Money
Regulate interstate and foreign trade
Raise and maintain armed forces
Declare war
Conduct foreign relations
Levy and collect taxes
Borrow money
Establish courts
Define crimes and set punishments
Claim private property for public use
Regulate trade and business within state
Establish public schools
Pass license requirements for professionals
Regulate alcoholic beverages
Conduct elections

13. Premises of Government
Due Process
Rule of law
Equal protection under the law

14. Due Process
Government can not deprive individuals of life, liberty or property without proper notice of impending actions as stated in the 14th Amendment
In whatever it does, government must act fairly and in accord with established rules

15. Rule of Law No one or thing is above the law
Government and its officers are always subject to law

16. Equal Protection Under the Law
Everyone is treated the same under the law (14th Amendment)
Can not be based on race, religion, gender, etc.

17. Supremacy Clause
US Constitution and Federal laws are the highest in the land
States can not make laws that are in defiance of a federal law

18. Report Card
Your Assignment: Answer the following question by creating a report card for government. Question: How is our government doing in fulfilling its purposes and guidelines?

19. Instructions
On a piece of white paper create a chart similar to this, but just pick 3 of the purposes/guidelines.
Purpose/Guideline
Letter Grade
Explanation (3 -5 sentence minimum with specific examples)
Popular Sovereignty
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Limited Government
Federalism
Due Process
Rule of Law
Equal Protection