1. Popular Sovereignty
Definition: Sovereignty that came into existence by the collective belief of the inhabitants of the sovereign entity. The people of this entity must recognize and respect this sovereignty in order for it to be sustained.
Use in the U.S.: The United States, and almost every country in the world, come under this category. Additionally, when America declared independence from Great Britain, its sovereignty had to be recognized by its citizens for it to mean much of anything.
Good Idea?: It is a good idea to sustain because it helps to keep order.
2. Federalism
Definition: A system in which the central government shares power with internal administrative divisions.
Use in the U.S.: The United States is a federal system, with the federal government sharing power with the states.
Good Idea?: There are pros and cons to Federalism. The cons including the ability for the administrative divisions to grow rebellious or defiant against their central governments, causing instability (i.e. the Civil War), and pros including it allows states to be independent.
3. Separation of Powers
Definition: Separation of powers is the division of power in a governmental system into branches. These branches carry out different tasks according to the constitution of the given government.
Use in the U.S.: The United States, as stated in the Constitution, is divided into the judicial, legislative, and executive branches. These branches were created to prevent any branch of government from having too much power due to the fears of the founders from past experiences.
Good Idea?: A separation of powers is important to maintain organization and discourage corruption and autocracy in a government.
4. Checks and Balances
Definition: A system ensuring political power does not concentrate too heavily in one branch of government.
Use in the U.S.: Checks and balances are used in the US and their guidelines are laid out in our constitution.
Good Idea?: This is a good idea because it prevents corruption and discourages central power from one branch.
5. Limited Government
Definition: A political system in which the government does not intervene on the people’s personal liberties.
Use in the U.S.: The US uses a limited government system and its guidelines are written into our Bill of Rights.
Good Idea?: This is a good idea because it keeps the government distant from affairs that do not necessarily need its attention.
6. Individual Rights
Definition: The personal liberties each individual has.
Use in the U.S.: People in the US have many personal liberties, these include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Good Idea?: Personal liberties are important to maintain because they allow for a better quality of life for those they are given to.
Bonus Round!
7. State
Definition: A nation or territory.
Use in the U.S.: The US is considered a state.
Good Idea?: This is a good idea because it shows a distinct separation between groups of people.
8. Sovereignty
Definition: The authority of a state.
Use in the U.S.: The US is a sovereign nation, and its officials are elected by the people.
Good Idea?: Sovereignty is a good idea because it allows for more freedom and ensures the interests of the people in mind in government.
Definition: Sovereignty that came into existence by the collective belief of the inhabitants of the sovereign entity. The people of this entity must recognize and respect this sovereignty in order for it to be sustained.
Use in the U.S.: The United States, and almost every country in the world, come under this category. Additionally, when America declared independence from Great Britain, its sovereignty had to be recognized by its citizens for it to mean much of anything.
Good Idea?: It is a good idea to sustain because it helps to keep order.
2. Federalism
Definition: A system in which the central government shares power with internal administrative divisions.
Use in the U.S.: The United States is a federal system, with the federal government sharing power with the states.
Good Idea?: There are pros and cons to Federalism. The cons including the ability for the administrative divisions to grow rebellious or defiant against their central governments, causing instability (i.e. the Civil War), and pros including it allows states to be independent.
3. Separation of Powers
Definition: Separation of powers is the division of power in a governmental system into branches. These branches carry out different tasks according to the constitution of the given government.
Use in the U.S.: The United States, as stated in the Constitution, is divided into the judicial, legislative, and executive branches. These branches were created to prevent any branch of government from having too much power due to the fears of the founders from past experiences.
Good Idea?: A separation of powers is important to maintain organization and discourage corruption and autocracy in a government.
4. Checks and Balances
Definition: A system ensuring political power does not concentrate too heavily in one branch of government.
Use in the U.S.: Checks and balances are used in the US and their guidelines are laid out in our constitution.
Good Idea?: This is a good idea because it prevents corruption and discourages central power from one branch.
5. Limited Government
Definition: A political system in which the government does not intervene on the people’s personal liberties.
Use in the U.S.: The US uses a limited government system and its guidelines are written into our Bill of Rights.
Good Idea?: This is a good idea because it keeps the government distant from affairs that do not necessarily need its attention.
6. Individual Rights
Definition: The personal liberties each individual has.
Use in the U.S.: People in the US have many personal liberties, these include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Good Idea?: Personal liberties are important to maintain because they allow for a better quality of life for those they are given to.
Bonus Round!
7. State
Definition: A nation or territory.
Use in the U.S.: The US is considered a state.
Good Idea?: This is a good idea because it shows a distinct separation between groups of people.
8. Sovereignty
Definition: The authority of a state.
Use in the U.S.: The US is a sovereign nation, and its officials are elected by the people.
Good Idea?: Sovereignty is a good idea because it allows for more freedom and ensures the interests of the people in mind in government.