1. Intro to Poli Sci – 2/10/17
Objective: SWBAT describe the six principles of our Constitution.
Agenda:
Six Principles Chart
Six Principles WS
Homework:
Personal Declaration
Missing Work

2. Six Basic Principles Popular Sovereignty Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism

3. Popular Sovereignty All political power resides with the people
People are the only source of power
People give government their power
Ex: “We The People…”

4. Limited Government
The government can only do what the people say it can do.
This principle actually prohibits certain governmental powers.
Constitutionalism – the government must be conducted according to the Constitution
Rule of Law- The government is never above the law
Ex: “Congress shall make no law…”

5. Separation of Powers Power is distributed among 3 branches
Legislative – Law makers
Executive – Law enforcers
Judicial - Law interpreters
Ex: “All legislative powers herein granted…”

6. Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has the power to check the operation of the other two.
Ex: Congress decides the size and structure of the federal court system.

8. Judicial Review
It is the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action
150 Congressional Acts have been declared unconstitutional
Also struck down 1100 state laws and several executive orders
Ex: Marbury v. Madison

9. Federalism
The division of power among a central government and several regional governments
This was a compromise between the loosely tied states under the Articles and the fear of too strong of a central gov’t.
Ex: Taxes