U.S. Constitution: Key Principles

• The United States Constitution offers a solution to governmental challenges based on seven key principles.

Popular Sovereignty

• Leaders and government originate from the consent of the people, establishing them as the source of political legitimacy.
• The Preamble clarifies that the power resides with the people of the United States, who establish the government for their well-being.

Republican Government

• Citizens actively participate in governmental affairs.
• The government is not headed by a hereditary ruler like a king.
• Elected representatives make laws and govern on behalf of the people.

Limited Government

• Framers aimed to avoid governments that infringe on rights or favor groups.
• Focus was placed on establishing a strong, but limited government with strictly defined powers.
• Powers are specifically given to it by the people.

Federalism

• The U.S. operates under federalism, where power is shared between state and federal governments.
• The Congress can coin money, regulate interstate and foreign trade, maintain armed forces, and create federal courts.
• States cannot exercise these powers.
• The Constitution reserves all other powers to the states, known as "reserved powers," found in the Tenth Amendment.
• Reserved powers include passing marriage and divorce laws, regulating trade within a state, and establishing schools.
• Concurrent Powers are shared by the state and federal governments, including raising taxes, borrowing money, providing for public welfare, and carrying out criminal justice.

Separation of Powers

• Divides legislative, executive, and judicial functions among separate, independent bodies.
• Limits potential for arbitrary excesses by government, as all three branches must sanction laws.

Checks and Balances

• Each branch of government can check or limit the power of the other branches.

Individual Rights

• Needed for each person to pursue their lives and goals without interference.
• Rights include:
  • The right to life.
  • The right to liberty.
  • The right to the pursuit of happiness.
  • The right to property.
  • The right to freedom of action.

Amending the Constitution

• Formal proposal of an amendment is the first step.
• Congress can propose an amendment with a two-thirds vote.
• Two-thirds of state legislatures can call a convention to propose an amendment (this method has not been used).
• Ratification, the second step, requires approval by three-fourths of the states.
• States can ratify an amendment via a state convention or through a vote by the state legislature.

Explore the US Constitution's seven key principles, including popular sovereignty, republican government, limited government and federalism. The government gets its power from the people. Elected representatives will make laws on behalf of the people.