Matching Pairs Fundamental Political PrinciplOnline version Fundamental Political Principles by Michael Loret 1 Limited government 2 Democracy 3 Representative Democracy 4 Consent of the governed 5 Rule of law A government only rules because the people give it permission to rule. Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do. A form of government where power is in the hands of THE PEOPLE. The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are those who are governed. The US is a nation of laws. the people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on the people’s behalf.