Core Principles of American Government

Definition: The belief that people should have the freedom to make their own choices and bear the responsibility for their actions.
Implication: Emphasizes personal autonomy and self-reliance.
Example: Starting and operating one's own business, with the individual retaining the right to decide how it is managed.

Definition: The principle that everyone should be given a fair and equal chance to succeed in life.
Key Distinction: This refers to having the same starting rules, not necessarily guaranteeing the same outcomes.
Mechanisms: Public institutions and legal frameworks are often employed to ensure this fairness.
Examples: The existence of public schools provides educational access, and anti-discrimination laws aim to broaden access to competition for more individuals.

Definition: An economic system where private individuals and businesses, rather than the government, make the majority of economic decisions.
Driving Forces: The economy is primarily guided by competition among businesses and the protection of private property rights.
Role of Government: Minimal government intervention in economic activities.
Example: Companies determine which products to offer and how to price them, with consumer choices influencing these decisions.

Definition: The fundamental principle that all individuals, including government officials and leaders, are subject to and accountable under the law.
Scope: Government actions must conform to established legal statutes and constitutional provisions.
Accountability: No one is above the law.
Example: Elected officials are not exempt from legal scrutiny; they can be investigated or stand trial if they are found to have violated the law.

Definition: The concept that governmental power should be restricted to prevent it from becoming overly expansive or tyrannical.
Mechanisms of Restriction: These limitations are typically enshrined in a constitution and enforced through structural arrangements.
Key Structures:
- Constitution: Provides a framework defining the scope and limits of government authority.
- Separation of Powers: Divides governmental functions among distinct branches (e.g., legislative, executive, judicial).
- Checks and Balances: Grants each branch of government specific powers to constrain the actions of the other branches.
Example: The distinct powers held by Congress, the President, and the Courts serve to prevent any single branch from accumulating excessive authority.