1. The Six Basic Principles

2. Protect Individual Rights
Each person has certain rights
These rights are mentioned in the Bill of Rights

3. Promote the Common Good
America, as a whole, benefits
Some people may not get what they want, but the majority of the country is better off

4. Popular Sovereignty
Definition: the people have the power and allow the government to rule

5. Popular Sovereignty
How do we give the power to the government? (Examples)
Election of government officials
Vote on issues
What if we do not agree with our elected officials?
We can elect a different official
We can protest

6. Limited Government
Definition: The government can only do what the people allows the government to do
The government has to follow its own laws

7. Limited Government Examples:
The President will be arrested if he robs a bank
Athletes cannot get away with breaking the law: Michael Vick was arrested and imprisoned for dog fighting

8. Separation of Power
Definition: the power of the government is divided among three separate branches
Example:
3 branches:
Legislative
Executive
Judicial

9. Separation of Powers
The Constitution created a strong central government
This is to prevent abuse of power
The Constitution specifies the powers of each branch of the government in the first 3 articles

10. Checks and Balances
Definition: each branch checks on the other two branches
Makes sure they are doing their jobs
Keeps all branches equal; not one branch with all the power

11. Checks and Balances
The Constitution applied several checks or restraints to each branch of the government
Each check helps keep the power of the government in balance
No one branch can operate or control the government without the other branches
Each branch needs the other branches to keep the government running

12. Checks and Balances

13. Checks and Balances Example:
Legislative: can override presidential vetoes (executive); can impeach Supreme Court justices (judicial)
Executive: can veto laws (legislative); can pardon criminals (judicial)
Judicial: determine if laws are constitutional (legislative); determine if president’s actions are constitutional (executive)

14. Federalism
Definition: Federalism is the separation of power or authority between the national government and state governments
The needs of the people are often more effectively met by localized authority

15. Federalism
Example
National government: can declare war and mobilize troops
State government: can pass laws prohibiting residents from shopping at FinishLine

16. Protect Minority Rights
People who do not make up the majority still have their rights
Voting is still done and the majority rules, but laws protect the minority group’s rights

17. Protect Minority Rights
Example
The Immigration/Arizona law passed in Arizona led to racial profiling which violates the rights of Hispanics in Arizona
This was not allowed (law is still in effect)
Laws cannot discriminate against people based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation