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Yossi Moff

Ms. Diane Nicoll

8th Grade History

November 6, 2017

Political Principles

The tyranny of British rule inspired the American forefathers to develop a brilliant and

revolutionary form of government that continues to be a model for countries throughout the

world. Political principles expressed in the Constitution such as federalism and dual sovereignty,

separation of powers and checks and balances, and majority rule and the protection of individual

rights were values that created an innovative government, one never seen at the time. The

founders of the American government believed that federalism and dual sovereignty allowed for

America to have the correct balance between federal and state government. Having three

branches in one section of government ensured that there would be separation of powers, and

these three branches were constantly evaluating the powers of the other. Lastly, majority rule

allows for the prominent voice to be heard, and representatives express the opinions and rights of

the individual people who elect them to power. These key principles are the main reason why

America is still a powerful and free country today.

Federalism and dual sovereignty create a balance between state and federal power, and

yet protect each of their rights. Federalism is the shared power of different sections of

government over the same area of land, such as national and state governments. Specifically, the

concept of dual sovereignty ensures that each of these sections of government have equal power.

The Legal Information Institution of Cornell Law School on ‘Federalism’ explains, “Generally,
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an overarching national government is responsible for the federal governance, governing the

issues that affect the entire country, while the smaller subdivisions, states, and cities, govern the

issues of local concern.” Federalism and dual sovereignty prevent the country from tyranny by

allowing multiple sections of government to rule an area, and neither one of these sections has

more power than the other.

Within the separated sections of government, there are three branches. “Having

experienced tyranny as subjects of the British Crown, the framers of the U.S. Constitution

wanted to keep the federal government from becoming too powerful” (Alonso, Nathalie). The

legislative, executive, and judicial branches create separation of powers, each branch having

their own responsibilities. Checks and balances ensure that none of the branches has too much

power. For example, the president can veto a law, the Congress can impeach a president, and the

judicial branch can deny laws if they are proven to be unconstitutional. Separation of powers on

the one hand, and checks and balances on the other, creates a system in which each of the

branches has governing power, and yet they are limited by the other branches.

The policies of the country are based on the majority rule, but individual rights, even if

part of the minority, are protected by the Bill of Rights. With majority rule, whatever, or

whoever, receives the most votes wins, and this protects the majority group. Minority rights are

protected through laws that are created by the government. Individual rights, regardless of

whether somebody is in a minority or a majority, are protected through the Bill of Rights. In

summary, “The minority's rights must be protected no matter how alienated a minority is from

the majority society; otherwise, the majority's rights lose their meaning” (Majority Rule/Minority

Rights: Essential Principles).

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Political principles expressed in the Constitution such as federalism and dual sovereignty,

separation of powers and checks and balances, and majority rule and the protection of individual

rights were crucial in creating the sustainable government that America currently has. Federalism

and dual sovereignty give powers to not only the federal government, but also the regional

governments (state, city, etc.). Also, separating the powers in government ensures that more than

one branch has power, and checks and balances allow for each branch to limit the power of the

other. America is founded on majority rule, but the minority rights are protected by the laws

created by the government, and the rights of the individual are protected in the Bill of Rights.

The current sustainable American government is founded on these revolutionary principles.

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Works Cited

Alonso, Nathalie. “Pros & Cons of Checks & Balances.” ​Classroom Synonym​, Leaf Group

Education, classroom.synonym.com/pros-cons-of-checks-balances-12083339.html.

“Federalism.” ​Legal Information Institute​, Cornell Law School, 12 Nov. 2007,

www.law.cornell.edu/wex/federalism.

“Majority Rule/Minority Rights: Essential Principles.” ​Democracy Web​, Albert Shanker

Institute, democracyweb.org/majority-rule-principles.