Principles of the ConstitutionTexas History Chapter 12

Federalism

A system of government where power is shared or balanced among the central (or federal) government and the statesEx: Texas cannot make a trade agreement with Australia, but Texas does govern how its public school operate.

Limited GovernmentRequires all U.S. citizens, including government leaders, to obey the law.Ex: The President, members of Congress, and Supreme Court Justices are bound under the same laws as other American citizens.

Popular Sovereignty

A government in which all political power comes from the people; a system in which the residents vote to decide an issueEx: The people of the U.S. elected Barrack Obama as President of the country.

Checks & Balances

The ability of each branch of government to exercise check, or controls, over the other branchesEx: Congress makes a law that inhibits freedom of the press, but the Supreme Court rules that the law is unconstitutional and therefore annulled.

Separation of PowersThe division of basic government roles into branches.Ex: The U.S. Congress is responsible for enacting new laws for the nation.

Individual Rights

A personal liberty and privilege guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the Bill of RightsEx: The government cannot arrest a person without proper cause, and those who are arrested are still entitled to due process.

RepublicanismA belief that government should be based on the consent of the people; people exercise their power by voting for political representativesEx: The government’s power is derived from the people.