OUTLINE OF THE CONSTITUTION

POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY

• The people are the only source for government power.
• The people exercise power through elected leaders chosen by the people.

LIMITED GOVERNMENT

• No government is all powerful.
• The government can only do things the people have given it power to.
• Constitutionalism- government must be conducted according to constitutional principles.

SEPARATION OF POWERS

• The power of government is distributed among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
• Created a strong central government, but limited the power each branch could have.

CHECKS AND BALANCES

• The three branches are not separated entirely nor are they entirely independent.
• Each branch is subject to constitutional checks by other branches.
• President can veto acts by congress and appoints federal judges. These judges must be approved by the Senate.

JUDICIAL REVIEW

• Defined as the power of the court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action.
• Is the ability to reject any action deemed unconstitutional.

FEDERALISM

• The powers of government are distributed on a territorial basis.
• Created to build a strong national government while preserving the concept of self-government.