The Seven Principles of the Constitution.

If you ever wanted to find out about the seven principles of the constitution than you should read this article and find out what you need to know about the seven principles of the constitution of the United States of America.

Popular Sovereignty- a government in which the people rule. Many governments in the world do not have this form of government. The people control the government by voting. As the nation changes and grows, popular sovereignty takes on new meanings. The quote we the people proudly displays that the power to govern belongs to the people.

Republicanism- Is based on the belief thatthe people exercise their power by voting for their political representatives. The people play a key role in making a republican government work. Article 4 section 4 of the constitution calls for every state to have a republican form of government. In a republican government, voting citizens make their voices heard at the polls. The power of the ballot prompts candidates to listen to the people's comments.

Federalism- Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central government and smaller political units, such as states. Before the civil war, federalism in the United States was closely related to dual sovereignty, which is the idea that the federal government and the states each had exclusive power over their own spheres. The constitution assigns certain powers to the national government. These are called delegated powers. Powers kept by the states are reserved powers. Powers shared or exercised by national and state governments are known as concurrent powers.

Separation of powers- This principle means the division of basic government roles into branches. No branch is given all the power. Articles 1,2, and 3 of the constitution detail how powers are spilt among the three branches. Congress is a part of the legislative branch and it makes the laws. The president is a part of the executive branch and it enforces the laws. The Supreme Court is a part of the judicial branch and it interprets the law.

Checks and balances- Checks and balances determine how power is evenly distributed throughout the three branches of government. Each branch of government can exercise checks, or controls over other branches. Though the branches of government are separate, they rely on one another to perform the work of government.

Limited government- limited government is also closely related to the rule of law. Every person must obey the law no matter how strong it is. Everyone must obey the law. This includes superstars, rich people, and the president.

Individual rights- People have certain rights nobody including the government can take them away. These rights are included in the bill of rights.