Principles of DemocracyPrinciples of Democracy

TEKS/TAKSTEKS/TAKS

8.16 Government. The student 8.16 Government. The student understands the American beliefs and understands the American beliefs and principles reflected in the U.S. principles reflected in the U.S. Constitution and other important historic Constitution and other important historic documents. The student is expected to:documents. The student is expected to:

(D)  analyze how the U.S. Constitution (D)  analyze how the U.S. Constitution reflects the principles of limited government, reflects the principles of limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, popular federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights.sovereignty, and individual rights.

““Supreme Law of the Land”Supreme Law of the Land”

In the United States, the In the United States, the US US Constitution is the Supreme LawConstitution is the Supreme Law. . No law and no person can override No law and no person can override the Constitution.the Constitution.

The Principles of DemocracyThe Principles of Democracy

Are the basic rules that the people of Are the basic rules that the people of the United States live by. We made the United States live by. We made our US Constitution and all of our our US Constitution and all of our laws follow these principles.laws follow these principles.

Are 7 basic principles or rules for all Are 7 basic principles or rules for all of us to follow in order to peacefully of us to follow in order to peacefully live together as one nation.live together as one nation.

Principles of DemocracyPrinciples of Democracy

POPULAR SOVEREIGNTYPOPULAR SOVEREIGNTY Limited GovernmentLimited Government FEDERALISMFEDERALISM RepublicanismRepublicanism SEPARATION OF POWERSSEPARATION OF POWERS Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances INDIVIDUAL RIGHTSINDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

Click on the Click on the PrinciplesPrinciples below below to continue to continue

Popular Sovereignty Limited Government

Federalism Separation of Powers

Individual RightsChecks and Balances

Republicanism

Finished ALL of the above? Then click here for review

Popular SovereigntyPopular Sovereignty

Political Political power rests with the power rests with the peoplepeople who can create, alter and who can create, alter and abolish their government.abolish their government.

In our country, this principle is In our country, this principle is found found in the Constitution’s __________in the Constitution’s __________

PreamblePreamble

““We the PeopleWe the People of of the United States, the United States, in order to form a in order to form a more perfect union, more perfect union, …. do ordain and …. do ordain and establish this establish this Constitution for the Constitution for the United States of United States of America.”America.”

We, the People can …We, the People can …

Amend the ConstitutionAmend the Constitution to keep to keep up with today’s generationup with today’s generation

Petition the governmentPetition the government to do to do something we wantsomething we want

Form groups that support causesForm groups that support causes we believe inwe believe in

And lots more!!And lots more!!

Remember –Remember –

Popular Sovereignty Popular Sovereignty means We, the People means We, the People control our control our government!government!

Return to “Principles”

Limited GovernmentLimited Government

Does this mean we Does this mean we can tell our can tell our government what government what to do or what not to do or what not to do?to do?

YES!!!YES!!!

In the Constitution, the people In the Constitution, the people established the government to serve established the government to serve us. We were tired of the abusive King us. We were tired of the abusive King and fought for independence. We did and fought for independence. We did not want to be abused by another not want to be abused by another king or government so we ….king or government so we ….

MADE RULES FOR MADE RULES FOR GOVERNMENT!GOVERNMENT!

Powers grantedPowers granted

Government can only do certain thingsGovernment can only do certain things likelike Pass new laws or taxes if a majority of our Pass new laws or taxes if a majority of our

representatives in Congress agreesrepresentatives in Congress agrees Coin moneyCoin money Make treaties with foreign nationsMake treaties with foreign nations Raise an army and navyRaise an army and navy Regulate trade between the states [interstate Regulate trade between the states [interstate

commerce]commerce] And more.And more.

Powers deniedPowers denied

Government can NOT do certain thingsGovernment can NOT do certain things Why is First Lady Michelle Obama not Why is First Lady Michelle Obama not

called a Queen?called a Queen? We have We have no titles of nobilityno titles of nobility in the in the

United StatesUnited States Can Congress pass a law today that Can Congress pass a law today that

says what we did yesterday was says what we did yesterday was wrong?wrong?

NO WAY!NO WAY!

These types of laws are called These types of laws are called ex ex post factopost facto laws laws. The . The ConstitutionConstitution prohibits prohibits Congress and state Congress and state governments from passing such governments from passing such unfair laws. unfair laws.

Can a state declare war on another Can a state declare war on another country?country?

NO.NO.

The Constitution only The Constitution only gives the national gives the national government the government the power to declare war. power to declare war.

Think of the mess we Think of the mess we would be in if 50 would be in if 50 different states could different states could declare war!declare war!

Limited GovernmentLimited Government

Congress and the state Congress and the state governmentsgovernments are are restricted byrestricted by what the what the ConstitutionConstitution says. says.

Gov’t officials also have to follow Gov’t officials also have to follow the rulesthe rules

-- Think of the Constitution as the -- Think of the Constitution as the government’s parents!government’s parents!Click to return

to “Principles”

FederalismFederalism

o Is the Is the distribution of power distribution of power between the national between the national government, the states’ government, the states’ governments and local governments and local governmentsgovernments..

Refers to the different Refers to the different levelslevels within within our government. our government.

FederalismFederalism

Compare to a Compare to a building with 3 building with 3 floors …floors …

NationalNational

StateState

LocalLocal

Each level of government has its own Each level of government has its own responsibilities.responsibilities.

Sometimes, these responsibilities are Sometimes, these responsibilities are sharedshared or overlap [known as or overlap [known as concurrent powersconcurrent powers] . For example, ] . For example, taxes: national = income tax, state taxes: national = income tax, state = sales tax, local = property tax= sales tax, local = property tax

Sometimes, these responsibilities Sometimes, these responsibilities belong to just one level. For example,belong to just one level. For example,

NationalNational = can = can declare wardeclare war,,

StatesStates = can determine = can determine driver’s driver’s licenselicense requirements or high school requirements or high school diplomadiploma requirements requirements

FederalismFederalism

Levels of government --- 3 layersLevels of government --- 3 layers Remember: Remember:

you are a resident of Montgomery you are a resident of Montgomery County, County,

a resident of the state of Texas, anda resident of the state of Texas, and a citizen of the United Statesa citizen of the United States

FederalismFederalism National,National,

state andstate and

locallocal … …

… … governments working under governments working under one Constitutionone Constitution

Click here to return to “Principles”

RepublicanismRepublicanism

A form of government where the A form of government where the people vote for representatives people vote for representatives to make laws and run the to make laws and run the government on their behalfgovernment on their behalf [to [to take care of the people]take care of the people]

Republicanism’s tie to Republicanism’s tie to Popular Sovereignty?Popular Sovereignty?

The The People control the government by People control the government by voting for elected representativesvoting for elected representatives

the the representatives meet with other representatives meet with other representatives to make laws for the representatives to make laws for the public good public good

if the representatives abuse the if the representatives abuse the people, the people, the people can take back their people can take back their “consent” and vote them out of office“consent” and vote them out of office

then the people vote for new then the people vote for new elected representatives ….elected representatives ….Hey, are we Hey, are we starting over?starting over?

Yes!Yes!

Remember: in a Republic, the Remember: in a Republic, the representatives work for the people!representatives work for the people!

Return to “Principles”

Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers

Each branchEach branch of government is given of government is given an an equal, but different, set of equal, but different, set of powerspowers

The US Constitution is divided into The US Constitution is divided into different Articles (like chapters in different Articles (like chapters in your book)your book)

This diagram illustrates the This diagram illustrates the separation of powersseparation of powers

US Constitution

Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch

Congress President Supreme Court

Makes Laws Enforces Laws Interprets Laws

Each of the first 3 articles Each of the first 3 articles deals with a different branch of deals with a different branch of government –government –

Article IArticle I Legislature (Congress) Legislature (Congress) Article IIArticle II Executive (President) Executive (President) Article IIIArticle III Judiciary (Supreme Court Judiciary (Supreme Court

and other courts)and other courts)

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Each branch has a different Each branch has a different responsibility in our government ---responsibility in our government ---o Legislative branch -- Legislative branch -- makes our lawsmakes our lawso Executive branch – Executive branch – enforces our lawsenforces our lawso Judicial branch – Judicial branch – interprets our laws interprets our laws

Think: each branch of government not Think: each branch of government not only has different powers but also only has different powers but also different buildings!different buildings!

Return to “Principles”

Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers

There’s no way you can walk There’s no way you can walk into all 3 buildings at the into all 3 buildings at the same time!same time!o Capitol = LegislativeCapitol = Legislativeo White House = ExecutiveWhite House = Executiveo Supreme Court building = JudiciarySupreme Court building = Judiciary

Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances

The The ability of each branch ability of each branch of government to oversee of government to oversee the other branches, to the other branches, to prevent abuseprevent abuse and to keep and to keep everything in “balance” or…everything in “balance” or…

No branch is number one over No branch is number one over the other two.the other two.

Example: Example: Congress Congress passes a lawpasses a law the President the President thinks is wrong. thinks is wrong. The President The President checks checks Congress by …Congress by …

Using the Using the VETOVETO [to refuse to sign [to refuse to sign and make into and make into law].law].

Congress thinks Congress thinks the President is the President is wrong. wrong. Congress Congress checks the the President by …President by …

Re-passing the law Re-passing the law with a 2/3 vote or with a 2/3 vote or

override.override.

The The Supreme CourtSupreme Court thinks thinks Congress or the President is Congress or the President is wrong. The Court can …wrong. The Court can …

Declare the law or Declare the law or action unconstitutionalaction unconstitutional

by using by using judicial reviewjudicial review to to compare the law or action to compare the law or action to what the Constitution ‘says’.what the Constitution ‘says’.

Return to TAKS question 2

Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances

Keeps our system evenKeeps our system even

Return to “Principles”

Individual RightsIndividual Rights

EachEach person in the United States person in the United States has rightshas rights

The Declaration of The Declaration of Independence spoke ofIndependence spoke of

these as beingthese as being ““unalienable”unalienable” or or

not separate from younot separate from you

By limiting government and By limiting government and separating powers the separating powers the

Constitution provides ….Constitution provides ….

For your Rights!For your Rights!

More protection is More protection is provided by the … provided by the … ah, let me think, ah, let me think,

the…the…

Bill of Rights!Bill of Rights! The The First 10 amendmentsFirst 10 amendments

to the Constitution to the Constitution Prohibits Congress or the Prohibits Congress or the

national government from national government from taking away your basic rights taking away your basic rights

Can you list Can you list some some examples of examples of your rights your rights found in the found in the Bill of Rights?Bill of Rights?

11stst Amendment – Amendment – Freedom of SpeechFreedom of Speech Freedom of the PressFreedom of the Press Freedom of AssemblyFreedom of Assembly Freedom to PetitionFreedom to Petition Free Exercise of ReligionFree Exercise of Religion No Government Established No Government Established

ReligionReligion

44thth Amendment – no Amendment – no unreasonable search without unreasonable search without a warranta warrant

55thth Amendment – right to not Amendment – right to not incriminate yourselfincriminate yourself

66thth Amendment – right to an Amendment – right to an attorney attorney

Wow! What a list?!Wow! What a list?! Are these the Are these the only rights only rights

you have?you have?

or

No!No! In case they forgot to list In case they forgot to list

some rights, the some rights, the 99thth Amendment covers all Amendment covers all other rights not listedother rights not listed in in Amendments 1-8. Amendments 1-8. Example: right to privacyExample: right to privacy

Are your rights Are your rights absolute? absolute?

Can you exercise Can you exercise your rights at any your rights at any time?time?

Sorry, the answer is Sorry, the answer is no.no.

Your rights are Your rights are limited by limited by the rights of the rights of the person the person standing standing next to younext to you. .

Think of your Think of your rights as a rights as a bubble that bubble that walks around walks around with you. When with you. When you go down the you go down the hall, your rights hall, your rights bump into bump into someone else’s someone else’s rights!rights!

Return to “Principles”

Let’s review –Let’s review – Principles of Democracy Principles of Democracy

are…are…the rules our society used to the rules our society used to form our governmentform our government

the rules we still use today the rules we still use today to guide usto guide us

Principles of Principles of Democracy include …Democracy include …

Popular SovereigntyPopular Sovereignty Limited GovernmentLimited Government Individual rightsIndividual rights FederalismFederalism Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances RepublicanismRepublicanism

TAKS Practice:TAKS Practice:

Which aspect of the US government did this Which aspect of the US government did this document most clearly influence?document most clearly influence?

A. Separation of powersA. Separation of powers

B. Guarantee of individual rightsB. Guarantee of individual rights

C. Duties of the presidentC. Duties of the president

D. System of checks and balancesD. System of checks and balances

No freeman shall be arrested or imprisoned or dispossessed or … in any way harmed … except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.

--- Magna Carta, 1215

Sorry, A is incorrectSorry, A is incorrect

The phrase “except by the lawful The phrase “except by the lawful judgment of his peers” refers to trial judgment of his peers” refers to trial by jury while “or by the law of the by jury while “or by the law of the land” refers to due process. land” refers to due process. Separation of powers refers to the Separation of powers refers to the different duties of government’s different duties of government’s branches.branches.

Try again

Sorry, C is incorrectSorry, C is incorrect

Look again at the words Look again at the words “imprisoned” and “judgment of his “imprisoned” and “judgment of his peers”. These words refer to being peers”. These words refer to being sent to prison after a jury finds one sent to prison after a jury finds one guilty. The President cannot try a guilty. The President cannot try a person.person.

Try again

Sorry, D is incorrect.Sorry, D is incorrect.

A system of checks and balances A system of checks and balances involves one person doing something involves one person doing something and the other person seeing if it is and the other person seeing if it is right. When a teacher corrects your right. When a teacher corrects your paper, he paper, he checkschecks it for you. Here, the it for you. Here, the Magna Carta is talking about not Magna Carta is talking about not sending someone to prison without a sending someone to prison without a trial.trial. Try again

You got it!You got it!

B is correct. The excerpt is talking B is correct. The excerpt is talking about the right to trial by jury and about the right to trial by jury and the right to due process. Both of the right to due process. Both of these individual rights are these individual rights are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

TAKS again:TAKS again:

2. What principle does 2. What principle does the headline illustrate?the headline illustrate?

A. republicanismA. republicanism

B. individual rightsB. individual rights

C. limited government C. limited government

D. checks and D. checks and balancesbalances

It’s a Go!!Supreme Court Reviews Bush’s

Affirmative Action Plan

A is not the right answer.A is not the right answer.

Republicanism involves elected Republicanism involves elected representatives acting in place of the representatives acting in place of the voters at home. The Supreme Court voters at home. The Supreme Court is not elected and does not directly is not elected and does not directly represent the people.represent the people.

Try again.

Sorry, B is not the right Sorry, B is not the right answer.answer.

Although affirmative action is a civil Although affirmative action is a civil right, it is not the answer because right, it is not the answer because affirmative action is not the subject affirmative action is not the subject of the sentence [it’s the object]. of the sentence [it’s the object].

Try again

Sorry. C is not the correct Sorry. C is not the correct answer.answer.

This is a close one. The federal and state This is a close one. The federal and state governments governments are limitedare limited in their powers in their powers but here the action but here the action verbverb is “reviews”. is “reviews”. Define judicial review. Then look at Define judicial review. Then look at what the Supreme Court is doing.what the Supreme Court is doing.

Try again

Terrific! D is the answer!!Terrific! D is the answer!!

The judicial branch is checking The judicial branch is checking the government’s action – a plan the government’s action – a plan for affirmative action to see if it for affirmative action to see if it follows the Constitution. The follows the Constitution. The Court said this plan followed the Court said this plan followed the Constitution and did not have to Constitution and did not have to be changed.be changed.

TAKS practice:TAKS practice:3. 3. When the federal courts required all When the federal courts required all

public schools in public schools in allall statesstates to to desegregate, Pres. Eisenhower sent desegregate, Pres. Eisenhower sent troops to protect the “Little Rock Nine” troops to protect the “Little Rock Nine” and to implement the and to implement the BrownBrown decision. decision. This action was an example of This action was an example of A. federalism.A. federalism.B. nullification.B. nullification.C. reverse discrimination.C. reverse discrimination.D. republicanism.D. republicanism.

B is not the right answer.B is not the right answer.Nullification means to declare a Nullification means to declare a national law void and invalid; to national law void and invalid; to make useless. Although Gov. Faubus make useless. Although Gov. Faubus did try to nullify the courts’ orders, did try to nullify the courts’ orders, the action in the question concerns the action in the question concerns Pres. Eisenhower and his troops. Pres. Eisenhower and his troops. What did Pres. Eisenhower think was What did Pres. Eisenhower think was ranked higher: federal or state law?ranked higher: federal or state law?

Try again

Sorry. C is not the right Sorry. C is not the right answer.answer.

Reverse discrimination Reverse discrimination means favoring minorities means favoring minorities over whites. This question over whites. This question does not concern this does not concern this issue.issue.

Try again

Missed… D is not the correct Missed… D is not the correct answer.answer.

Republicanism involves elected Republicanism involves elected representatives acting for the representatives acting for the people. Congress is not involved in people. Congress is not involved in this question. That’s okay … try this question. That’s okay … try again!again!

Super! You really know your Super! You really know your government! government!

AA is the correct answer. is the correct answer. During integration the During integration the federal federal andand state state governments had to work governments had to work together to advance civil together to advance civil rights. In the 1950s the rights. In the 1950s the federal government led the federal government led the way for the states and kept way for the states and kept the US Constitution the US Constitution supreme over state laws.supreme over state laws.

You’ve done at great job!You’ve done at great job! Complete your worksheet including the Complete your worksheet including the

diagrams on the back. If you have any diagrams on the back. If you have any blanks or wish to review again, you may.blanks or wish to review again, you may.