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Almarah Urman

Ms. Diane Nicoll

8th Grade History

October 27, 2017

Principles of the American Government

The principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and

balances, the nature and purpose of majority rule, and minority rights help the American

government run smoothly and efficiently. Federalism and dual sovereignty help to make the

government system run smoothly. Separation of powers and checks and balances help keep the

government from corruption. Majority rule and minority rights ensure that most people are

happy, while the others still have protected rights. All of them are important to keeping the

government system running.

Federalism and dual sovereignty are principles that allow our government to run well.

Federalism is, by definition, “The distribution of power in an organization (such as a

government) between a central authority and the constituent units.” (Merriam Webster,

“Federalism”). This definition expresses that federalism is the concept that both a central

government and state governments have individual powers. Similarly, dual sovereignty is the

idea that each state, along with the government, holds sovereignty. Sovereignty is having

supreme power or authority (Dictionary.com, “Sovereignty”). All in all, dual sovereignty and

federalism are principles that allow both state and federal governments power, allowing the

government to run smoothly.

Two other important principles of the US government are separation of powers and
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checks and balances. In the US, there are three different branches of government: the executive

branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. Having this separation is called the

separation of powers. The legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch enforces those

laws, and the judicial branch interprets those laws (Jeck, Unit 2). However, each branch limits

the powers of the others through a system called checks and balances. Each branch checks the

other’s powers, and they all balance out. For example, the legislative branch votes to pass laws,

but the executive branch can veto those laws. Once a law is passed, it is up to the judicial branch

to interpret it, and then they can take it out of order if it is not constitutional. This also helps to

keep each branch from corruption. By having their powers limited, they cannot ultimately

control everything, keeping them from becoming corrupt.

To pass laws and elect representatives, America uses a system of majority rule. In order

to for something to happen, at least 51% of the people voting must vote for it. This allows the

majority of citizens to be satisfied (Wikipedia, “Majority Rule”). But what about the people in

the minority half? They have rights too, called minority rights. Obviously, these two concepts

conflict. So how is majority rule exercised while still respecting minority rights? With constant

elections, it makes it impossible for the majority to achieve full power, because minorities

strongly exercise the right to free speech during elections. It is because they are allowed to

exercise these rights that we are still aware of the minorities, and their rights are protected.

The principles of federalism, dual sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and

balances, minority rights are important to the US government's functionality. Federalism and

dual sovereignty allow both the state and federal governments to hold power, allowing for a

smoother run government. Separation of powers and checks and balances keep the government
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from becoming corrupt. Majority rule and minority rights allow the population to be happy

while protecting individual rights. These valuable ideas have shaped the American government

into what it is today. They all work together to build a well functioning and successful

government that we live and work under.​.

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Works Cited

“Checks and Balances.” ​Dictionary.com​, Dictionary.com,

www.dictionary.com/browse/checks-and-balances.

“Dual Sovereignty Doctrine.” ​Dual Sovereignty Doctrine Definition​, Duhaim.org,

www.duhaime.org/LegalDictionary/D/DualSovereigntyDoctrine.aspx.

“Federalism.” ​Merriam-Webster​, Merriam-Webster,

Jeck, Julia. “Individual Presentations.” Unit 2- The Constitution, 10 October.

2017. Wornick JDS in Foster City, CA. Lecture.

“Majority Rule.” ​Wikipedia​, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Oct. 2017,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majority_rule.
“Sovereignty.” ​Dictionary.com​, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/sovereignty.

“Federalism.”​ Merriam Webster.com, ​Merriam Webster.com

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/federalism.