Principles of the Constitution
By Trevor Rosetta
The Seven Principles
2. Republicanism- This is when the people exercise their power by assigning it to representatives chosen by them through the election process. An example of this is also voting for officials. Examples from the Constitution include articles IV and II. Article IV states that the national government guarantees each state "a republican form of government". Article II says that a new President and Vice President shall be elected every four years.
3. Federalism- This is the division of power between the state and federal government. Examples of this is whether or not states could legalize drugs or other controversial topics. The states have the power to make decisions like that. An example from the Constitution is the tenth Amendment, which states that powers not delegated by the national government are reserved for the states.
4. Separation of Powers-This is the divided power among the three branches of government. Examples include our three branches of government today-the Legislative, Executive, and the Judicial. The first, second, and third Articles of the Constitution are what created and assigned powers to them.
5. Checks and Balances-This is how each branch of the government has controls over the other two. For example, the Executive Branch can veto bills from the Legislative
Branch, but the Legislative Branch can override the veto. Articles I and II explain how the President can veto any bill passed by Congress and that the President can appoint judges for the Supreme Court and other courts.
6. Limited Government- this is how the government's power is limited by the Constitution and laws passed in pursuance of the Constitution. Each branch prohibits the others from gaining too much power. The first Amendment prohibits the government in restricting our freedoms of speech.
7. Individual Rights- This means that our personal freedoms are guaranteed in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and laws of the U.S. An example is giving everyone the right to vote. Equal protection of the law for all people are guaranteed by the fourteenth Amendment.