Title: The Five Principles of the U.S.

Constitution: Foundations of American Governance

On September 12, 1787, the Constitution was completed during the Constitutional
Convention in Philadelphia. About 39 out of 42 delegates signed it. To officially approve it,
at least ten out of the thirteen states needed to vote in favor of the Constitution. This essay
examines five key principles within the Constitution: popular sovereignty, limited
government, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances, each contributing to
the foundation of American governance. Special attention is given to the separation of powers
principle, analyzing how it works and why it is crucial.

The principles of the constitution are these: The first is called “Popular Sovereignty,”
and this principle declares that the people are the most important power in the government.
Leaders, like lawmakers and the head of government, must answer to the people. If the
people aren't happy, they can vote to replace these leaders. In a representative democracy,
people choose their leaders and have a strong say in how the government works. The next
one is about limited government. This is the principle that political power and those who
exercise it should be institutionally restrained, usually by the rule of law or constitutionalism.
(reference from Oxford reference) Federalism is the next key concept, and it means a mode of
political organization that unites separate states or other polities within an overarching
political system in a way that allows each to maintain its integrity. Federal systems do this by
requiring that basic policies be made and implemented through negotiation so that all the
members can share in making and executing decisions. (reference from Britannica) Also,
there is the separation of powers, which means a division of powers among different branches
of government. In this regard, it prevents one group from holding superior power in
government. The separation of powers was systematized with the founding of the three
branches of government: the legislative branch, which makes the laws; the executive branch,
which carries out the laws; and the judicial branch, which interprets the laws. The separation
of powers is exemplified by establishing three co-equal branches: legislative, executive, and
judicial. This principle prevents power consolidation and promotes accountability. There is
the last, which is checks and balances. The checks and balances ensure that no single branch
becomes overly powerful, with each branch possessing powers to check the actions of the
others.
An illustrative example of how laws relate to power is the Watergate scandal of the
1970s. President Richard Nixon's alleged abuse of power and obstruction of justice faced
judicial scrutiny. In United States v. Nixon (1974), the Supreme Court's unanimous decision
mandated the release of White House tapes, showcasing the judiciary's role in checking
executive power.
Another example of how laws relate to power is Donald Trump’s travel ban executive
order of 2017. President Donald Trump banned entry into the United States for citizens of
several Muslim-majority countries. This order has to face legal challenges. The court found
and claimed the orders exceeded the president's authority and violated the establishment
clause of the First Amendment by targeting a specific religious group.
 To conclude, the enduring relevance of the U.S. Constitution stems from its
foundational principles. Popular sovereignty, limited government, federalism, separation of
powers, and checks and balances continue to guide American governance. By understanding
these principles and their historical applications, citizens grasp the delicate balance inherent
in the U.S. system, preserving democratic ideals for future generations.
Reference Page
Excel High School. (2023). U.S. History, 3.7
https://lms.learnstage.com/courses/57/pages/3-dot-7-ratification-of-the-constit
ution?module_item_id=7880

Oxford Reference
https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100106201

Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/topic/federalism

History
https://www.history.com/topics/1970s/watergate

NYtimes
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/us/politics/trump-travel-ban.html