CONSTITUTION
BASICS
BASICS
This legal framework explains how a government is organized and operated.
What is a constitution?
A government whose power is limited by a constitution or higher law.
What is constitutional government?
A set of laws that establishes and limits government power.
What is a higher law?
Life, liberty, and property
Name John Locke's three natural rights
A government whose powers are limited by a constitution.
What is constitutional government
To establish government, define its powers, limit those powers, and help protect rights.
What is the main purpose of government?
Limited government has legal limits on rules; unlimited government has few or no effective limits
What is the difference between limited and unlimited government?
It places fundamental rules above ordinary government action and requires officials to follow them.
Why is higher law important in a constitutional government
Using government authority infairly
What is abuse of power
Government in which officials may exercise only powers allowed by law.
What is unlimited government.
The people who legally belong to a country.
What are a citizens
They could abuse power, ignore rights, or make unfair decisions without effective limits.
What could happen if government leaders had unlimited power
Everyone, including officials must obey the law.
What does rule of law mean
A constitution and place ___________ on government power
What is limits?
A plan or set of fundamental laws for government
What is a constitution
The principle that everyone must obey the law
What is rule of law
Requiring officials to follow a constitution/law; restricting what officials may do
What is one example of how government power can be limited.
Government's legitimate authority comes from the approval of the people.
What does consent of the govern mean?
So, leaders cannot place themselves above the law or use power however they want
Why should government officials have to obey the law?
A government whose rulers have few or no effective limits.
What is an unlimited government
A country may have a constitution but still lack this if its leaders' powers are not truly limited.
What is constitutional government?
They wanted government strong enough to govern but limited enough to protect liberty ansd prevent the abuse of power
Why did the founders believe government power need limits.
It limits government power and establishs rules that protect citizens from unfair treatment.
How does constitutional government help protect individual rights.
The story warns about this danger when one ruler makes laws, enforces them, and decides punishments alone.
What is abuse of power or unlimited power?
Fundamental rules that government must obey
What is higher law?