Six Basic Principles of the Constitution

POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY Authority of govt. rests with the people.

LIMITED GOVERNMENT The power of government is not absolute.

SEPERATION OF POWERS The 3 branches of government are independent and coequal. Legislative, Executive, Judicial

CHECKS AND BALANCES Limiting the power of other branches of government.

JUDICIAL REVIEW Power of the Supreme Court to rule on constitutionality of a governmental action. MARBURY VS. MADISON

FEDERALISM Division of powers: Federal, state, and local governments. (levels or hierarchy)

Formal Amendment Process Article V creates two methods for proposal and two methods for ratification of Constitutional amendments. (4) PROPOSAL 2/3 (34) vote in both houses of Congress 2/3 (34) of state legislatures request it. Congress has National Convention to propose. RATIFY 3/4 (38) state legislatures ratify 3/4 (38) state conventions ratify

Informal Amendment Processes Informal amendment is the process by which over time many changes have been made in the Constitution which have not involved any changes in its written word.

The informal amendment process can take place by: (1) the passage of basic legislation by Congress; (2) actions taken by the President; (3) key decisions of the Supreme Court; (4) the activities of political parties; and (5) customwr Pnt