Principal Features  of  the
United States Constitution

  • Popular sovereignty
  • Republicanism
  • Divided governmental power
    • Separation of powers with checks and balances
    • Bicameralism
    • Federalism
  • Limited government
    • "Rule of Law"
    • Explicit prohibitions of government power:
      • Bill of Rights
      • No ex post facto laws
      • No bills of attainder