Fundamental Principles

Separation of Powers

Creating different branches of government to prevent a concentration of power, each having separate responsibilities

Legislative: Makes laws

Executive: Enforces laws

Judicial: Interprets laws

Checks and Balances

Powers of each branch to limit the actions of the others to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

Limited Government

The government can only do things explicitly permitted in the constitution and is even specifically prohibited from doing certain things in an effort to prevent an all powerful government

Federal System (Federalism)

Power of government is divided between the state and national governments

Popular sovereignty

The power and authority to govern come from the people (the consent of the governed)

Judicial Review

Power of the Supreme Court to rule laws/actions of another branch (or states) unconstitutional and thus void them

Mnemonic for remembering the Fundamental Principles

Some Just Can’t Learn Fundamental Principles

The 6 Fundamental Principles

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Limited Government

Federal System (Federalism)

Popular Sovereignty

Judicial Review (Not explicitly in constitution)