Seven Principles Of Government
By: Crystal and Rio
Popular Soverignty
Popular Soverignty is a government which the people rule, it is used in the constitution as a democracy, and spell out the source of all the governments power. An example today is people being able to vote. Popular Soverignty is another way of saying 'the more people there are, the better'. It is the idea that a nation will be more powerful based on the 'free' population ('free' is referring to the amount of people that are under freedom, unlike people under a dictatorship).
Republicanism
Belief that the government should be based on the consent of the people, and people can make their voices heard in the gov't. It is used in the constitution by letting them have a voice in the government. People today are allowed to cast their vote as an example. Republicanism is another way of letting citizens participate in government activities and events towards the nation, i.e. voting.
Federalism
Where in a government power is divided among a central government and smaller political units. It is used in the constitution to assign powers to the government and elect state representatives. An example is the central government (or Washington D.C.) and smaller units of government (states). Federalism is like a way of sharing power throughout the states and the capitol of said states/provinces.
Separation Of Powers
Division of government to branches. Used in the constitution by having legislative, judicial, and executive branch. An example today would be the three branches of said departments. Legislature enacts laws, Executives approve/deny them, Judiciary branch enforces them.
Checks And Balances
Each branch of government has controls over other branches. Used in constitution by allowing the executive branch able to veto. An example today would be the president being able to veto laws from the legislature. Checks and balances are what keep one branch able to stop the others from endangering the government.
Individual Rights
Personal liberties or priveleges. Basically spells out what we can and can't do. An example today would be freedom of speech and religion. Some individual rights are inalienable which means they are used for every single person, given at birth, and cannot be repealed. Most individual rights used today are freedom of speech and religion.
Limited Government
Individuals cannot bypass the law for own interests no matter what rank in government. Constitution says that people can't break the law. An example would be obeying laws such as not running traffic lights, etc. Limited government is basically the 'enforcer' of the laws enacted by the legislature.