Six Basic Principles of the Constitution Unit 2: Constitution

The Constitution of the United States is the framework on which National government is based. The Constitution was written to reflect the Common Good and Limited Government The Common Good and Limited Government can be seen in 6 ideas of the Constitution:

1. Popular Sovereignty Because the government is created by and for the people, power resides not with the government or its leaders but with the people. In a representative democracy, the people vote to elect leaders to represent their interests. Example: The Constitution begins with “We the people…”

2. Rule of Law and Limited Government The people and their government must abide by a set of laws, rather than any arbitrary rules set down by any individual or group. The Constitution sets limits to governmental power and establishes how leaders who overstep their power can be removed.

3. Separation of Powers and checks and balances Powers and responsibilities are divided among three government branches to prevent any one person or group from having too much power. A system of checks and balances allows each branch to monitor and check the power of the others to prevent any abuse of government power.

The legislative branch has the ability to make laws The legislative branch has the ability to make laws. The executive branch can prevent the legislative branch from enacting a law by issuing a veto rather than signing the bill. However, if the legislative branch feels that the veto was not in the best interest of the country, a 2/3s vote by legislature can force the enactment of the law even without the President’s approval. The judicial branch has the authority to review a law and to declare it unconstitutional if they feel that the law violates the Constitution.

4. Federalism Power is divided between the national/central government and the individual state and local governments. *When the Constitution was written, the states agreed to give up powers to the national government

5. Independent Judiciary and Judicial Review The judicial branch is established as an independent entity, free of pressures and influences from the other 2 branches. The supreme court is the highest authority in the federal court system . The supreme court has the power to decide if the practices of government are legal The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional – illegal Part of the system of checks and balances

6. Individual Rights Individual rights and liberties are protected against government encroachment The first 10 amendments to the constitution are a list of individual rights Also the 14th amendment says that everyone deserves equal protection under the law

6 Principles of Government Drawing Requirements For each principle have… Name of principle (5 points) Description of principle in your own words (5 points) Explanation for why it contributes to the Common Good (5 points) Illustration to depict the principle (5 points) Must add color (5 points)