Slide 1

• Fundamental Political Principles

Slide 2 - Students will understand the foundations of American constitutional government by

• Explaining the Fundamental political principles of
• Consent of the Governed
• Limited Government
• Rule of Law
• Democracy
• Representative Government

Slide 3 - Fundamental – forming a necessary base or core; of central importance

• Principle - a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption
• What is a Fundamental Principle?

Slide 4 - Fundamental Political Principles define and shape American constitutional government.

Slide 6 - Consent of the Governed

• Defined: The people are the source of any and all government power
• Vocabulary
• Consent – to give permission
• Governed – Refers to the people/society that political power will be exercised over

Slide 7

• The government’s right to role is only justified when the people have given them this power.
• How would you caption this picture?

Slide 8

• This principle was stressed with the founding of our country.
• We started this country with the phrase “WE THE PEOPLE” which showed that the power of government comes from the people
• What document is pictured above?

Slide 10 - Defined: Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do.

• Limited Government

Slide 11

• The government is limited in its actions and what it can or can’t do.
• “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Lord Acton

Slide 12 - These limits can be found in the U.S. Constitution.

• Article 1 Section 9 denies certain powers to congress
• Due Process
• Ex Post Facto Laws
• Bills of Attainder
• Write of Habeas Corpus

Slide 14 - Rule of Law

• Defined: The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are those who are governed.
• Vocabulary
• Those who govern – refers to those who are in the government
• Governed – refers to the people that are ruled by the government
• Bound - under a legal or moral obligation

Slide 17 - Defined: In a democratic system of government, the people rule.

• Democracy

Slide 18 - In a democratic system of government, the people rule.

• Democracy

Slide 21 - Representative Government

• Defined: In a representative system of government, the people elect officeholders to make laws and conduct government on the people’s behalf.
• Vocabulary
• Officeholders – someone that holds political office (Senator, Mayor, etc.)
• Conduct – to direct in action
• Behalf – to do for someone, in their interests

Slide 22 - We elect people to make laws and carry out the actions of government for us.

• The government officials are to represent us. (work for us and conduct government in our interest)

Slide 24

• 5 Political Principles
• Rule of Law
• Consent of the Governed
• Limited Government
• Democracy
• Representative Government