Basic Principles of the Constitution Chapter 3, section 1 Pages 64-70

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Democracy: government rule by the people Democratic Republic: a representative democracy where citizens elect politicians to act on their behalf, and represent the people’s view

Popular Sovereignty All political power resides in the people They are the only source for any and all governmental power

Limited Government No Government is all-powerful Government may do only those things that the people have given it the power to do The Rule of Law

Separation of Powers Basic powers are distributed among three branches of government

1. People are the source of all government authority, and vote for politicians they support. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers 2. President is responsible for the executing, enforcing, and administering the law Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers 3. “Congress shall make no law” denying individual freedoms of the 1st Amendment Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

4. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) must obey all laws. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers 5. Only the President may negotiate treaties (agreements) with other countries. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers 6. US Senators may not exceed the speed limit while driving on the roads. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers 7. Citizens may protest the government when people disagree with decisions of the President or Congress. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers 8. Trials may be witnessed by citizens (“We the People”) to verify that trials are fair. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers 9. Congress (the House and the Senate) must pass a law for it to be considered by the President. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

10. Federal judges make legal decisions, not the President. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

11. The President serves as Commander in Chief of the US Military. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances Each branch is subject to a number of constitutional checks by the other branches Each branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations of the other two

Judicial Review Power of courts to determine if government is following the Constitution Declare unconstitutional any government action that violates the Constitution Established with Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Federalism The division of power among a central government and several regional governments The National Government holds some powers, others belong to the 50 states.

Congress must have a two-thirds vote in each house to override a veto. Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

This practice was established in Marbury vs. Madison, 1803. Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

Educational requirements vary from state to state. Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

Only Congress has the power to declare war. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

Presidential appointees are subject to approval by the Senate Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

Barack Obama is elected President of the United States Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

The Rule of Law Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

In Pennsylvania, people pay both a State and Federal Income Tax Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

Government may exercise only those powers delegated to it. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

Federal courts may declare illegal any government action violating the Constitution. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

Government can govern only with the consent of the governed. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

“All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in Congress. . .” Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

All treaties made by the President must be ratified by the Senate. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

The Supreme Court has voided more than 900 state laws as unconstitutional. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Powers not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution are retained by the States. Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Judicial Review Federalism