Constitutional Principles
This principle means that everyone, including government officials, must obey the law.
What is Rule of Law?
This system divides government power between the national government and state governments.
What is Federalism?
In a democracy, this means that the choice supported by more than half of the voters generally determines the outcome.
What is Majority Rule?
John Locke argued that people are naturally born with these rights, including life, liberty, and property.
What are Natural Rights?
A governor receives a speeding ticket and must pay the same fine as any other driver. What principle is demonstrated?
What is Rule of Law?
This principle guarantees that the government must follow fair procedures before taking away a person's life, liberty, or property.
What is Due Process?
The legislative, executive, and judicial branches are examples of this principle.
Answer: What is Separation of Powers?
The Bill of Rights protects the freedoms of individuals and groups even when they are not part of the majority. This represents what principle?
What are Minority Rights?
This Enlightenment thinker argued that government exists because people agree to give government certain powers in exchange for protection of their rights.
Who is John Locke?
Before the government takes a person's property, the person is given notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision in court. What principle is demonstrated?
What is Due Process?
This principle means that government power ultimately comes from the people.
What is Popular Sovereignty?
The president vetoes a bill passed by Congress. Congress then overrides the veto. This is an example of what principle?
What are Checks and Balances?
Elections in which citizens can choose between candidates without intimidation or fraud are examples of this democratic principle.
What are Free and Fair Elections?
This Enlightenment thinker argued that government power should be divided among different branches to prevent tyranny.
Who is Montesquieu?
The federal government creates a law, but a state argues that the federal government does not have constitutional authority to regulate that issue. What principle is at the center of this dispute?
What is Federalism?
This principle means that government officials are limited by a written constitution and cannot exercise unlimited power.
What is Constitutionalism?
The Constitution gives the federal government only certain powers rather than unlimited authority.
What is Limited Government?
Voting, contacting elected officials, attending public meetings, and participating in campaigns are examples of this.
What is Civic Participation?
This philosopher believed that legitimate government should reflect the general will of the people.
Who is Jean-Jacques Rousseau?
60% of voters support a new law, but the law cannot legally violate the constitutional rights of the remaining 40%. What two democratic principles are illustrated?
What are Majority Rule and Minority Rights?
A police officer, judge, and ordinary citizen are all subject to the same laws. Which constitutional principle does this demonstrate?
What is Equality Under the Law?
Congress makes federal laws, the president enforces them, and federal courts interpret them. What two principles are illustrated by this arrangement?
What are Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances?
The idea that government gets its authority from the agreement or approval of the people is known as this.
What is Consent of the Governed?
Unlike Locke and Rousseau, this philosopher argued that people naturally live in a state of conflict and need a strong government to maintain order.
Who is Thomas Hobbes?
Congress passes a bill. The president vetoes it. Congress votes again and gets enough votes to override the veto. Which constitutional principle is demonstrated?
What are Checks and Balances?