Core Principles of American Government

The foundation of the American Dream is closely tied to the principles that govern the United States. These principles ensure a system of government that protects individual rights and promotes equality of opportunity.

Popular Sovereignty

Popular sovereignty, or Volkssouveränität, is a cornerstone of American democracy. This principle asserts that the government's power comes from the consent of the people and that it exists to serve the people's interests.

Definition: Popular sovereignty means that the government needs the consent of the people and serves the people's interests.

Key aspects of popular sovereignty include:

• Majority decisions in selecting representatives
• The ability to criticize and hold the government accountable
• Limitations on government power

Limited Government

The concept of limited government acknowledges human fallibility and sets boundaries on governmental authority through laws.

Highlight: The government must abide by the laws and is not allowed to break them under any circumstances.

This principle ensures that even those in power are subject to the same rules as ordinary citizens, preventing abuse of authority.

Separation of Powers

The separation of powers divides the government into three independent branches:

1. Legislative branch (Senate and House of Representatives): Makes laws
2. Executive branch (led by the President): Carries out laws
3. Judicial branch (headed by Supreme Court): Interprets laws

Vocabulary: Gewaltenteilung is the German term for separation of powers, emphasizing the division of governmental authority.

This structure ensures a distribution of power, preventing any single entity from becoming too dominant.

Checks and Balances

The system of checks and balances complements the separation of powers by allowing each branch to supervise and limit the others.

Example: The President can veto laws passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto with a supermajority vote.

This intricate system of oversight helps maintain a balance of power within the government.

Federalism

Federalism allows states to unite under a central government while retaining significant autonomy in local matters.

Definition: Federal government meaning in the U.S. context refers to the national government that shares power with state governments.

This system enables:

• National decisions on matters affecting the entire country
• State-level decision-making on local issues
• A balance between national unity and local diversity

These core principles form the backbone of American democracy and provide the framework within which the American Dream can flourish.

The Origins of the American Dream

The American Dream concept developed during the colonization of America, blending various cultural influences and aspirations. It emerged from a combination of imperial ambitions, Puritan beliefs, and individual visions of a better life.

The dream took root in the hearts of early settlers, particularly disadvantaged colonists who sought self-fulfillment in the West. This new land offered the promise of a minimized class society and increased prosperity, contrasting sharply with the rigid social structures of Europe.

Highlight: The American Dream was born from the collective desire for liberation from exploitation, freedom, hope, and equality.

The close-knit communities that formed in America, unlike the more dispersed populations in Europe, fostered a shared vision of empire and prosperity. This communal spirit, coupled with increased economic opportunities, benefited society as a whole.

Example: Greater sales interest in the colonies led to increased harvests, demonstrating how individual success could contribute to collective well-being.

The Puritan Influence

The Puritans played a significant role in shaping the principles that would underpin the American Dream. Their vision of creating a "New Jerusalem" in America introduced several key concepts:

1. Direct relationship with God, eliminating the need for church hierarchy
2. Hard work as a manifestation of faith, leading to economic improvement
3. Protection of individual value
4. Separation of church and state

Quote: "The American is a new person, acting according to new principles, with new opinions and ideas."

This Puritan ethos laid the groundwork for core American values that would later be enshrined in the nation's founding documents.

The American Revolution and Political Ideals

The American Revolution further crystallized the political ideas that would become central to the American Dream. Key principles emerged:

1. Government's role in protecting rights to life, liberty, and property
2. Emphasis on equality
3. The pursuit of happiness as a fundamental right

Definition: The Declaration of Independence articulated American idealism, emphasizing the equality of all people and the right to pursue one's dreams.

These principles formed the basis of American democracy and continue to shape the nation's identity and aspirations.