Da VIP Academy / GED / Social Studies / Civics & Government
Constitutional Principles
Explain popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism.
How it works
Five core principles
Popular sovereignty (power comes from the people), limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism (power shared between national and state governments).
Why checks exist
Each branch can limit the others: the president vetoes bills, Congress can override a veto by two-thirds, and courts can rule laws unconstitutional. The goal is preventing concentrated power.
Worked examples
Congress overrides a veto. Which principle is at work?
- One branch is limiting another.
- That is checks and balances.
- It also shows separation of powers.
Words to know
- Federalism
- Division of power between national and state governments.
- Veto
- The president's rejection of a bill passed by Congress.
Test-day tips
- • Separation of powers = who has which job. Checks and balances = how they limit each other.