The Six Principles of Government in America Principle #1 Popular Sovereignty: This is a basic principle of the American system of government; that the people are the only source of any and all governmental power, that government must be conducted with the consent of the governed.

The Six Principles of Government in America Principle #2 Limited Government: This is a basic principle of the American system of government; that government is limited in what it may do, and each individual has certain rights that government cannot take away. The government and its officers are always subject to the law.

The Six Principles of Government in America Principle #3 Separation of Powers: This is a basic principle of the American System of government, that the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are divided among three independent and co-equal branches of government.

The Six Principles of Government in America Principle #4 Checks and Balances: This is a system of overlapping the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, to permit each branch to check the actions of the others.

The Six Principles of Government in America Principle #5 Judicial Review: The courts have the power to determine the constitutionality of the actions of the legislative and executive branches of government.

The Six Principles of Government in America Principle #6 Federalism: This refers to the division of political power among a central (federal) government and separate states.