7 Principles of the constitution
By Collin Moss
Popular Sovereignty
Ultimate power and final authority rest with “we the people” or all the citizens. "power to the people."
Example:
Every 4 years the American people elect a President who they think can represent the country.
Quote from the constitution
Republicanism
Explanation:
The people exercise their power by delegating it to representatives chosen by them through the election process
Example:
President Andrew Johnson was accused of “high crimes and misdemeanors” and the House of Representatives voted to impeach him.
Quote from the constitution
Federalism
Power is divided between the central (national) government and the state governments.
Example:
Interstate highways are owned and operated by the states, but the federal government sets down some basic guidelines that all states must follow and also provides funding.
Quote from the constitution
The Constitution lists powers delegated to the national government. For example, Article I, Section 8 contains a lengthy list of the powers of the U. S. Congress. Powers not delegated to the national government and not denied to the states are reserved to the states or to the people by the 10th Amendment.
Separation of Powers,
Explanation:
Power within the national government is divided among three separate branches: Legislative, Executive and Judicial.
Example:
The executive branch is responsible for enforcing law by overseeing various enforcement agencies such as the F.B.I, F.D.A., and D.E.A.
Quote fro the constitution
Checks and Balances
Each branch of the national government has certain controls (checks) over the other two branches.
Example:
Supreme Court justices must be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Quote fro the constitution
Article I, for example, gives Congress the power to impeach, try, convict, and remove from office officers of the other two branches. Article I also gives the President the power to veto any bill passed by the Congress. Article II gives the President the power to appoint judges of the Supreme Court and other federal courts
Limited government
Government’s power is limited by the rule of law which includes the Constitution and the laws which are passed in pursuance of that Constitution. This means that government is not all-powerful.
Example: A police officer must have a warrant in order to search a home
Quote from the constitution
Limits on government, for example, are imposed by the rights guaranteed to the people by the U. S. Bill of Rights and by Article I, Sections 9 and 10. Also, the Supremacy Clause of Article VI makes the Constitution, only those laws made in pursuance of the Constitution, and treaties the “Supreme Law of the Land.”
Individual rights
Personal freedoms, personal protections, and equality under the law are guaranteed in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and laws of the U. S.
Example:
Citizens who follow regulations for such ownership have the right to own firearms and other weapons.
Quote from the constitution
Article I, Section 9, for example, provides that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in time of rebellion or invasion, that no bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed, and that no titles of nobility shall be granted. The U. S. Bill of Rights lists numerous other individual rights. Due process of law and equal protection of the law for all persons are guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.