Seven Principles of the Constitution

1. Popular Sovereignty – a government in which the people rule and govern themselves

2. Republicanism – people exercise their power by voting for their political representatives (people vote for representatives who vote for them)

3. Federalism – Sharing Powers between federal, state, and local levels of government

4. Separation of Powers – dividing power between three branches of government so that no branch has too much power

Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch

Makes the laws Enforces Laws Judges the laws

Congress President Supreme Court

5. Checks and Balances – The 3 branches work together to keep each other from getting too powerful

6. Limited Government – we are a nation of laws and all are accountable to them (rule of law)

7. Individual Rights – Civil rights – rights to vote, protest, assemble, religion, free speech, etc