Government Principles and Popular Sovereignty

Popular Sovereignty and Government Principles

• Popular Sovereignty: Political power is derived from the people. Citizens express their will through voting and engaging in government processes.
• Federalism: A system that divides powers between federal and state governments, ensuring both levels operate independently within their jurisdictions.
• Limited Government: Government operates within prescribed limits set by the Constitution; it possesses only the powers explicitly granted to it by the document.
• Rule of Law: Establishes that all individuals, including government officials, are subject to the law, maintaining equality and accountability.
• Constitutionalism: The principle that government authority and operations are defined and constrained by a constitution.

Constitutional Elements

• Preamble: The introduction of the Constitution that outlines its purposes and guiding principles.
• Checks and Balances: A doctrine ensuring that each branch of government (executive, legislative, judicial) has the authority to monitor and limit the actions of the others, preventing any one branch from gaining too much power.
• Judicial Review: The power held by the Supreme Court to evaluate the constitutionality of laws and governmental actions, safeguarding the Constitution as the supreme law.

Types of Government Powers

• Delegated Powers: Powers specifically assigned to the national government, enabling it to function effectively.
• Expressed Powers: Powers explicitly stated in the Constitution, detailing specific authorities granted to the national government.
• Inherent Powers: Powers that are recognized as essential to any sovereign state, allowing the national government to operate effectively on the global stage.
• Reserved Powers: Powers not explicitly assigned to the national government nor prohibited to the states, remaining under state jurisdiction.
• Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by both state and federal governments, such as the authority to tax, illustrating cooperation between different governmental levels.