1. 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

2. 1. Popular Sovereignty Pop=People, Sovereignty=Supreme Power
Power is held by the People
Example:
17th Amendment-People directly elect US Senators

3. 2. Limited Government There are limits on the governments power.
Rule of Law - Those who govern must also obey the law
Example-Government officials can face punishment for breaking the law

4. 3. Separation of Powers Power is divided between 3 branches Examples:
Legislative Branch – make the laws
Executive Branch – enforces the laws
Judicial Branch – interprets the laws

5. 4. Checks and Balances
Each branch is checked by the other two to ensure no branch become too powerful
Examples:
Congress make laws
President can sign or veto the law
Supreme Court can declare Law unconstitutional

7. 5. Federalism Power is shared between the state and federal government
Example
Expressed Power(Enumerated)-powers given specifically to the national government in Art 1: Sec 9
Reserved Powers-powers given to states (10th Amendment)
Concurrent powers-powers shared between the state and federal government.

9. 6. Judicial Review
This is not technically a principle the founders thought about at the time, but was later granted power through a Supreme Court decision.
Power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and government actions unconstitutional
Marbury v. Madison-Court case that established judicial review