Principles underlying the Constitution

1. Principles underlying the Constitution Chapter 3 section 4

2. Principles underlying the Constitution • Government should represent the people • Power should be divided among different levels rather than concentrated in a single central authority

3. The 5 fundamental principles • Popular sovereignty • The rule of law • Separation of power • Checks and balances • Federalism

4. Popular sovereignty • The notion that power lies with the people • Popular means the public • Sovereignty means the right to rule • People exercise this process by voting

5. The rule of law • States that the law applies to everyone, even those that govern • No one may break the law or escape its reach

6. Separation of power • To protect against abuse of power and the possibility of one person or group gaining to much power, the framer divided the government into three branches, each with different function

7. Checks and balances • Each branch of government is able to check, or restrain, the power of the others.

8. Federalism • A form of government where power is shared by the national government and the state governments. • Americans must obey both federal and state laws

9. Dividing Power • Enumerated Powers • The powers specifically granted to the national government • Reserved Powers • Powers that the constitution does not give to the national government • Concurrent Powers • Powers that both levels of government can exercise