Which term denotes the basic principles and laws that determine government powers and guarantee rights?

• A. Sovereignty
• B. Federalism
• C. Constitution
• D. Intersectionality

Answer: (C)

The Constitution is the foundational document that lays out the basic principles and laws shaping how a government gets its authority, what powers it may exercise, the limits on those powers, and the rights that must be protected for citizens. It provides the framework for governance, often detailing the structure of government, the separation of powers, checks and balances, and due process protections. Because it explicitly codifies these rules and rights, it best fits the description of “the basic principles and laws that determine government powers and guarantee rights.”

Sovereignty refers to the ultimate authority within a state, not the written framework that defines powers and rights. Federalism describes how power is distributed between national and regional governments. Intersectionality is a sociological concept about how overlapping social identities affect experiences of oppression and privilege, not a legal framework for government powers and rights.