6 BASIC PRINCIPLE OF THE CONSTITUTION

POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY

• People are the only source of any and all governmental power
• Everything is decided by the people, mandated by the Constitution

LIMITED GOVERNMENT

• No government is all-powerful
• Limited by the people
• Gov't is bound by the law
• Avoids tyranny

SEPARATION OF POWERS

• Basic powers of gov't distributed among 3 distinct and independent branches of the gov't

CHECKS AND BALANCES SYSTEM

• The three branches of the government check the power of the others
• This makes it difficult for any aspect of the gov't to become too powerful

JUDICIAL REVIEW

• Power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a gov't action
• The ability to declare something unconstitutional
• This is a power held by the supreme court

FEDERALISM

• Division of power between central and regional government
• It is an important part of the constitutions web of protection of individual freedom