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The Seven Principles of Government

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Popular Sovereignty

• A government in which people have the power to govern themselves.

• The government is created and run by the people.• “the voice of the people”

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5Republicanism

• The people exercise their power by voting.• The belief that the supreme power of a country should be

vested in an electorate.

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7Federalism

• The government doesn’t hold all the power. The states also have powers reserved for them.

• Power is divided between the national government and the states

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Separation of Powers

• Government power is divided between three branches.• Executive, Legislative and Judicial

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Checks and Balances

• Each branch of government checks each of the other branches to make sure none gets too powerful.

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Limited Government

• Since the people give the government power, the government is limited to the powers given to it by the people.

• The government must follow its own laws

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15Individual Rights

• Personal liberties or freedoms• Rights that each person has regardless of group

membership or lack thereof.