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The Principles of the United States Constitution. I. Popular Sovereignty. The people hold the ultimate authority A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them.
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I. Popular Sovereignty • The people hold the ultimate authority • A representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them. • Ted Cruz and John Cornyn are our elected officials in Congress
II. REPUBLICANISM • People exercise their power by voting • People elect THEIR political representatives
III. Federalism • The division or sharing of power between States and the National Government • Some powers are shared • The National Government has the “supreme power”
IV. Separation of Powers • No one holds “too much” power • Legislative branch makes the laws • Executive branch carries out the laws • Judicial branch interprets the laws
V. Checks and Balances • Prevents the abuse of power in government • Each branch can check each other branch
VI. Limited Government • Framers wanted to guard against tyranny • Government is limited to the power given them in the Constitution. • The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed
VII. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS • Personal liberties • Privileges • Found in BILL OF RIGHTS • Examples: free speech, religion, meeting peacefully, press, right to bear arms, no cruel or unusual punishment, etc