| A | B |
|---|
| LIMITED GOVERNMENT | The Constitution clearly states what the national government could and could not do. Powers not granted to the national government nore denied the states, are reserved to the states. |
| CONSTITUTIONAL SUPREMACY | Established that the Constitution, laws, and treaties of the United States are the highest laws of the land. |
| RULE OF LAW | Assures that citizens are protected and that the power of government officials is limited. |
| POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY | Another limit on the powers of the government. Constitution provides how the people elect officials to represent them. |
| SEPARATION OF POWERS | Established principle by which governing power is divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches |
| CHECKS AND BALANCES | Established principle in which each branch of government exercises a "check" on the powers of the others. |
| JUDICIAL REVIEW | Gives the Supreme Court the power to decide whether a law or an executive action is constitutional |
| PROPOSED AMENDMENT | Requires a 2/3 votes of both houses of Congress. |
| RATIFIED AMENDMENT | Requires the approval of 3/4 of the states legislatures. |
| JUDICIAL INTERPRETATION | Justices use this the principles of the Constitution to appply to current situations |
| ACTIONS OF CONGRESS | Establishment of entire federal court system except for Supreme Court. Established executive agencies and regulatory commissions even though they were not outlined in the original Constitution. |
| ACTIONS OF PRESIDENT | Has evolved over time to include that figure as a key person in attempting to form legislation even though he/she is not considered a legislator. |
| ACTIVITIES OF POLITICAL PARTIES | Have evolved and now play a major role in determining how elections are conducted even though methods were expressed in the Constitution. the letter of the law is followed, but much of the detail has changed. |
