Principles of Government

As the delegates gathered in Philadelphia that the hot summer of 1787, no one knew exactly what would develop. Although the convention had been called for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation, many of the delegates knew that the entire government structure would have to change. In fact, the Virginia delegation arrived early in order plan the major changes it would propose. Your textbook describes the issues dealt with by the delegates and the compromises that resulted. It describes the new structure of government developed by the Constitution of the United States and the powers delegated to each branch.

Reflecting their view of human nature, and fearing tyranny by the majority in a democratic system, the founders limited the power of the government and of the majority in several ways.

What form of government did the Constitution create?

The new government established a republic, a representative democracy, in which officials were elected to govern. They also rendered it difficult for the different elected officials to conspire by devising different modes of election for them.

How was the idea of Montesquieu incorporated into the Constitution?

The powers of the national government were also separated into three branches. This separation of powers prevented a single majority from controlling government. Each branch of the national government was granted some power to limit the other branches (checks and balances) and both the states and the national government would possess governing power under a federal system, further distributing the power of government.

The principals of government built into this Madisonian Model worked to limit government and to limit the power of the majority, while giving the national government sufficient power to deal with the issues requiring national attention.

What role did compromise play in the process?

Some issues resulted in compromises unsatisfactory to many; others remained unsettled altogether. The election of president was a compromise no one really expected to work, and the slavery issue was one that the founders knew would have to wait for another day.

The United State Constitution, which would took effect in 1792, established a government based on democratic principles, a representative democracy (republic), with the powers of government separated into three branches, legislative, executive and judicial (Separation of Powers). Each branch would possess some overlapping power with the other branches to limit their actions (Checks and Balances). Certain courses of actions would be beyond the reach of government action (limited government) to protect the rights of individuals. It was believed that these principles would hold the government accountable to the law (rule of law).

The doctrine of separation powers places the powers to govern in different hands – branches. It is designed to make the policy-making process slow, even difficult, requiring compromise and deliberation.