Logo: Project Citizen

Lesson 5: How Can We Organize Government to Prevent the Abuse of Power?

Image

Lesson Purpose

Constitutional governments are designed to protect the people from abuses of government power. In this lesson you learn how people might organize government to make the abuse of power less likely.

Lesson Objectives

When you finish this lesson you should be able to explain the ideas of separation of powers and checks and balances, explain the Founders' reasons for creating a system that limits governmental power, and list some powers of the three branches of government.

Lesson Terms

bill
A proposed law given to the legislature for approval.
checks and balances
executive branch
judicial branch
legislative branch
separation of powers
About

CCE LogoThis site is brought to you by the Center for Civic Education. The Center's mission is to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy. The Center has reached more than 30 million students and their teachers since 1965. Learn more.

Center for Civic Education

5115 Douglas Fir Road, Suite J
Calabasas, CA 91302

  Phone: (818) 591-9321

  Email: web@civiced.org

  Media Inquiries: cce@civiced.org

  Website: www.civiced.org

© Center for Civic Education