Standard 12.1
Explain the fundamental principles and
moral values of American democracy as expressed in the U.S Constitution and other essential documents of American Democracy. Analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution, Analyze and compare the powers and procedures of the national, state, tribal, and local governments.
moral values of American democracy as expressed in the U.S Constitution and other essential documents of American Democracy. Analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution, Analyze and compare the powers and procedures of the national, state, tribal, and local governments.
The Three Branches of Government
1. The Constitution of the United States
2. Branches of Government and Requirements
3. Amendments to the Constitution
4. Principles of Democracy
5. Checks and Balances
6. Federalism
2. Branches of Government and Requirements
3. Amendments to the Constitution
4. Principles of Democracy
5. Checks and Balances
6. Federalism
Basic principles and structure
The United States started a democracy, which means supreme authority over the government belongs to the people. Government is the institution through which society makes and enforces public policies. It has a purpose and preamble to the Constitution.The Constitution of the United States was built on six basic principles of government. The six basic principles of government are Popular Sovereignty,
Limited Government, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Judicial Review, and Federalism. Popular Sovereignty means that the people establish and give power to the government. That government is limited to the amount of power the people give it. The limited, central government's power is separated into three branches which use checks and balances to make sure no one branch will have too much power. The power is broken down further through federalism to the states and citizens. There will always be judicial review present in the government to make sure all laws and actions are fair and constitutional. Government is broken down into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The Legislative branch creates laws and approves actions by the President. The Executive branch enforces the laws and is led by the President who has the power to veto laws and appoint federal judges. The final, Judicial branch interprets the laws and checks to see if they are constitutional. All three branches use checks and balances to equalize power between each other and helps provide order to the government and power to the citizens of the United States.
My thoughts
In my opinion, the 6 principles of government provide a perfect base for a successful government system that balances power equally and fairly among its branches, states, and citizens. The Bill of Rights is also one of the most important and necessary documents to protect each person and his or her rights.
Bill of Rights Cartoon
In this political cartoon, the bill of rights is being represented as a large tree. It's being slowly chopped away by a Donkey and an Elephant, the representative animals of the Democratic and Republican Parties. Each is trying to pick away at the bill of rights to forward their own agendas and policies.
Research Links
http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/first_amendment
http://www.aclu-de.org/resources/know-your-rights/bill-of-rights-in-simple-language/
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/19/is-the-second-amendment-absolute/?_r=0
http://www.aclu-de.org/resources/know-your-rights/bill-of-rights-in-simple-language/
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/19/is-the-second-amendment-absolute/?_r=0