Government

1
Government

• Chapter 3

2
Six Basic Principles

• Popular Sovereignty
• Limited Government
• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances
• Judicial Review
• Federalism

3
Popular Sovereignty

• The people have the supreme power and authority.
• People elect officials to act as their
  representatives in carrying out government
  responsibilities.
• When there are conflicting views, those are
  discussed and voters then indicate their views by
  making a choice in elections.

4
Limited Government

• The government only has as much authority as the
  people give it.
• The Constitution puts specific limitations on
  government.
• Limited Government says that there is no govt
  official that is above the law and can overstep
  constitutional boundaries.

5
Separation of Powers

• Separates power among three branches of
  government.
• Legislative Branch- Congress
• Executive Branch-the President
• Judicial Branch- Federal Courts
• Separation of Powers is intended to prevent the
  misuse of power by one branch of government.

6
Checks and Balances

• Each branch of government has a built-in
  authority and responsibility to restrain the
  power of the other two branches.
• The system makes government less efficient, but
  it prevents tyranny by any one branch of
  government.

7
Checks and Balances
8
Judicial Review

• Federal courts have the power to determine the
  constitutionality of actions.
• Federal courts may nullify or cancel acts of
  Congress or the President if those acts are
  unconstitutional.
• Federal courts step in if there is any violation
  of the constitution.

9
Federalism

• Divides power between a central government and
  smaller, local governments.
• Intent- allow the central government to be
  powerful enough to be effective, yet not so
  powerful to threaten states or citizens.
• Allows states to deal with problems at the local
  level as long as their government actions are
  constitutional.

10
Formal Amendmenta change to the Constitutions
written word
11
Informal Amendmentno change in the
Constitutions written word

• Sources of Informal Amendments
• Basic Legislation
• Executive Action
• Court Decisions
• Party Practices
• Customs