Constitutional Principles

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Constitutional Principles
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Chapter 3 Section 4
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Five Principles of the Constitution

• The Framers had a common vision for the
  government It should be representative of the
  people and limited in scope.
• Power should be divided among different levels.
• To achieve these ends, the Framers embraced five
  principles as the backbone of the Constitution
  popular sovereignty, rule of law, separation of
  powers, checks and balances, and federalism.

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What is Popular Sovereignty

• Article IV guarantees a republic, in which
  supreme power belongs to the people- popular
  sovereignty.
• The people express their will through elected
  representatives.
• Provisions, such as those about the right to
  vote, ensure popular sovereignty.

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What is Rule of Law?

• The Framers believed the government should be
  strong but not too strong.
• The Constitution sets limits by stating what
  government may and may not do.
• Government is also limited by the rule of law.
• This means that the law applies to everyone, even
  those who govern.

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What is Checks and Balances?

• Checks and balances keep any one branch from
  becoming too powerful.
• Each branch can check, or restrain, the power of
  the others.
• For example, the president can veto laws,
  Congress can block presidential appointments, and
  the Supreme Court can overturn laws it finds
  contrary to the Constitution.

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What is Separation of Powers?

• To keep any one person or group from becoming too
  powerful, the Framers divided government into
  three branches with different functions.
• This split of authority among the legislative,
  executive, and judicial branches is called the
  separation of powers.

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What is Federalism?

• Under federalism, power is shared by the national
  government and the states.
• Americans must obey the laws of both.
• Enumerated, expressed, or delegated powers are
  powers the Constitution specifically grants to
  the national government.
• Powers not given to the national government are
  reserved powers kept by the states.
• Powers that both levels of government can
  exercise are concurrent powers.

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Chapter 3 Section 4
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What is Federalism?

• When national and state laws conflict, the
  Constitution is the final authority.
• Neither the national nor state governments may
  act in violation of it.
• The Constitution is both durable and flexible.
• It provides the government sufficient power to
  keep order, protect, and defend, yet sets limits
  to avoid tyranny.

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