Chapter Three A Tradition of Democracy The U.S. Constitution ~~~~~ Ideals of the Constitution

Government Power The Declaration of Independence states that governments should receive their powers from “the consent of the governed”. [approval of the people] Citizens give governments permission to govern them through the voting process

Of the People, By the People, For the People Mayflower Compact November 21, 1620 English Pilgrims on the ship Mayflower reach the shores of North America seeking religious freedom sailed far off course and had no charter from the king of England to settle in New England or to form a government male members wrote the agreement to create a new government based on the cooperation and consent of the people

Principles of the Constitution

Government Power from the People Popular Sovereignty = Government by consent of the governed Preamble = introduction to the Constitution, which describes its purposes expresses ideal of popular sovereignty - "We the people"

Limitations on Government Powers Limited Government = A system in which government powers are carefully spelled out to prevent government from becoming too powerful. Constitution and Bill of Rights sets limits on governmental power government powers have specific restrictions powers not belonging to the federal government are reserved for state governments or the people certain powers are forbidden to both the federal government and the states

Making Decisions for All Majority Rule = A system in which the decision of more than half the people is accepted by all. with Minority Rights minority rights are protected and respected minority opinions are freely expressed

Protecting Liberties Powers of the People individual rights are protected Bill of Rights 1791 list many freedoms that belong to every citizen of the United States

New System of Government Federal System Federalism = A system of government in which the powers of government are divided between the national government, which governs the whole country, and the state governments, which govern the people of each state.

National government in Washington D.C. focuses on matters of national concern 50 independent state governments sovereign political units within the United States each has a capital, constitution, and officials authority over the people who live within that state Federal and State Governments

Delegated Powers Reserved Powers Concurrent Powers Powers given to the federal government by the Constitution Powers set aside by the Constitution for the states or for the people Powers shared by the federal government and the states coin money control foreign and domestic trade defense conduct elections regulate trade within the states establish local governments taxation borrow money establish courts charter banks enforce laws punish lawbreakers health and welfare

Levels of Authority Supremacy Clause Whenever a state law disagrees with the Constitution or with a federal law, the state must give way to the federal government Constitution and federal laws shall be “the supreme law of the land”