Constitutional Government

4 Basic Principles of the Constitution

1) It spells out the powers of government

2) It limits those powers

3) Tells how the government is to be organized

4) Guarantees certain rights to the people

1st Step in a Plan for Shared Power

The national government would be divided into three branches

(separation of powers).

-Executive

-Legislative

-Judicial

Each branch would have various checks on the other branches to

balance power.

2nd Step in a Plan for Shared Power

The national government would share power with the state

government, though in some areas the national government is

supreme (federalism)

As citizens of the U.S. we are citizens of two (or more) governments at the same time.

Powers reserved for the Federal gov’t

• Coining money

• Declaring war

• Establishing rules for citizenship

Powers reserved for State gov’ts• Authority over child

custody

• Regulate marriage

• Operate public schools

• Conduct elections

The U.S. Constitution &Georgia’s State Constitution

Compare• Have a preamble

• Have articles that establish 3 branches of government

• Have a process for amending the constitution

• Have a Bill of (guaranteed) Rights

Contrast• GA’s is longer than the U.S.

• GA’s places more restrictions on government

• Guarantees additional rights• Freedom of conscience

• Prohibits banishment from the state

A Third Level of Government

Local Governments

Counties Cities

Special

Districts

Local governments are not full partners

with national and state governments.

Their power comes from and may be taken back by the

state.