Constitution Fundamental Principals

Separation of Powers

Governments power is split over three branches with separate responsibilities. Legislative makes laws, executive enforces, and judicial interprets laws. This prevents power from being concentrated in one area.

Judicial Reveiw

The supreme courts power to declare laws or actions of other branches (or states) unconstitutional, voiding them. This is an example of checks and balances

Checks and balances

The power of each of the three branches of government to limit the actions of the others to prevent any one branch from being too powerful

Limited goverment

There are things that the goverment isn’t permitted to do. The power of the government is restricted by the constitution, specifically forbidding some things.

Federal Systems

Power of the goverment is divided between the national and state goverments

Popular sovereignty

The ultimate authority to govern comes from the people. Consent of the governed