Simone Lawson
The United States is a constitutional federal republic, with a federal government that has limited powers and state governments that retain most powers. The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land, establishing the federal government, defining its powers and structures, and protecting the basic rights of all Americans. The Constitution's first three words, We the People, emphasise the republican form of government, where the people hold power but elect representatives to exercise it. The Constitution guarantees each state in the Union a Republican form of government and protects them from invasion and domestic violence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Form of Government | Federal constitutional republic or federal constitutional democracy |
| Powers of the Federal Government | Limited |
| Powers of the State Governments | Most powers retained by state governments |
| Supreme Law | Constitution |
| Rights | Basic rights of all Americans protected |
| Structure | Establishes the federal government |
| Structure | Defines the government's powers and structures |
| Rule | Majority rule |
| Rule | Absence of monarchy |
| Rule | Rule of law |
| Control | People control their rulers |
| Sovereignty | Popular sovereignty |
| Right to alter | People have the right to alter or abolish the government |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land
The Constitution's status as the supreme law of the land works in two ways. Firstly, as long as an action of the federal government is authorised by the Constitution, that action supersedes any state or local law with which it might conflict. Secondly, not every action by the federal government is supreme—federal activity must also follow the Constitution or it would be illegal. This is known as the doctrine of "enumerated powers", which means the federal government can only do what the Constitution specifically allows it to do.
The Constitution describes the division of power between the federal and state governments, establishing which specific powers have been given to the federal government, while reiterating that most remain with the state governments. This is a key feature of a federal republic, in which a federal government is given limited powers for limited purposes, while state governments retain most of the powers of government.
The United States is both a democracy and a republic. A republic is a form of government in which the people hold power but elect representatives to exercise that power. The core of a republican government is one in which the people control their rulers, and the central meaning of a republican government in the Founding Era was popular sovereignty, majority rule, and the people's right to alter or abolish the government. The Constitution guarantees to every State in the Union a Republican form of government.
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The Constitution establishes a federal government
The Constitution's establishment of a federal government is based on the principle of a division of powers. It describes which specific powers are granted to the federal government, while most others remain with the state governments. This is in line with the nature of a federal republic, where the federal government has limited powers for specific purposes, and state governments retain most governing powers.
The Constitution's role in establishing a federal government is further reinforced by the doctrine of "enumerated powers," which means that the federal government can only exercise powers specifically granted to it by the Constitution. This doctrine underscores the limited nature of federal power and highlights the importance of the Constitution in outlining the scope of federal authority.
The Constitution also guarantees a republican form of government, which is characterized by popular sovereignty, majority rule, and the absence of monarchy. This is in keeping with the Declaration's principles of liberty, equality, limited government, and self-government, which influenced the Constitution's design.
The United States, as a federal constitutional republic, combines elements of federalism and representative democracy. This unique blend of governmental structures and principles is outlined and established by the Constitution, making it the foundational document of the American political system.
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The Constitution defines government powers and structures
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land, and it establishes the federal government, defining its powers and structures, and protecting the basic rights of all Americans. The Constitution creates the form of government in the United States, which is a constitutional and federal republic.
The Constitution describes the division of power between the federal and state governments, establishing which specific powers have been given to the federal government, while reiterating that most remain with the state governments. The Constitution's status as the supreme law of the land means that any action of the federal government authorised by the Constitution supersedes any state or local law with which it might conflict. However, not every action by the federal government is supreme—federal activity must be derived from the Constitution or it would be illegal.
The Constitution begins with "We the People", announcing the purposes and goals of the Constitution, before listing the structures and protections of individuals. The Constitution not only provides the framework for how the federal and state governments are structured but also places significant limits on their powers. The federal government is given only limited powers for limited purposes, while state governments retain most of the powers of government.
The Constitution also outlines the powers of Congress, including the power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion, and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
The Constitution also outlines the eligibility requirements for the office of the President, including the age and residency requirements, as well as the process for removing the President from office and the compensation for the President's services.
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The Constitution protects the basic rights of all Americans
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land, and it establishes a federal government, defines its powers and structures, and protects the basic rights of all Americans. The Constitution creates the form of government in the United States, which is a constitutional and federal republic.
A republic is a form of government in which the people hold power but elect representatives to exercise that power. The United States is a representative democracy or a federal constitutional republic. The Constitution guarantees each state in the Union a republican form of government and protects them from invasion and domestic violence. The core of a republican government is one in which the people control their rulers, and the central meaning of a republican government is popular sovereignty, majority rule, and the people's right to alter or abolish the government.
The Constitution carefully limits the powers of the federal government by separating power into three branches of government. The Constitution also describes the division of power between the federal and state governments, establishing which specific powers have been given to the federal government, while reiterating that most powers remain with the state governments. The doctrine of "enumerated powers" means the federal government can only do what the Constitution specifically allows it to do.
The Constitution also provides the framework for how the federal and state governments are structured, and it places significant limits on their powers. The Constitution begins with "We the People," announcing the purposes and goals of the Constitution before listing the structures and protections of individuals. The Constitution's status as the supreme law of the land means that any action of the federal government authorized by the Constitution supersedes any state or local law with which it might conflict. However, not every action by the federal government is supreme, and federal activity must also follow the Constitution or be considered illegal.
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The US is a constitutional federal republic
The United States is a constitutional federal republic. The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land, establishing the federal government, defining that government's powers and structures, and protecting the basic rights of all Americans. The Constitution creates the form of government in the United States, which is a constitutional and federal republic.
The Constitution describes the division of power between the federal and state governments, establishing which specific powers have been given to the federal government, while reiterating that most remain with the state governments. The Constitution also carefully limits government powers, such as by separating power into three branches of government, to ensure no part of the government has too much power.
The term "republic" refers to a form of government in which the people hold power but elect representatives to exercise that power. The US Constitution guarantees a republican form of government, and the country has been defined as a "federal constitutional representative democracy."
The US Constitution establishes that the federal government can only do what the Constitution specifically allows it to do. This is known as the doctrine of "enumerated powers." The Constitution also begins with "We the People," reflecting the ideas of self-government and "the consent of the governed" from the Declaration of Independence.
In summary, the US is a constitutional federal republic because its form of government is established by the Constitution, which creates a federal system with limited powers and guarantees a republican form of government, in which the people hold power and elect representatives to exercise that power.
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Frequently asked questions
A republic is a form of government in which the people hold power but elect representatives to exercise that power.
Yes, the United States is a federal constitutional republic.
A federal constitutional republic is a form of government in which there is a national government and governments of the states. The national government is given limited powers, while state governments retain most powers.
The United States Constitution guarantees to every State in the Union a Republican form of government and promises to protect each of them against invasion. The Declaration’s ideas of liberty, equality, limited government, and self-government also later served as important features of the Constitution.
