Seven principles

2. State government power is divided into three distinct branches—the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch—so that no single branch becomes too powerful
5. The power and authority of the government come from the people. Citizens express this authority primarily by voting and participating in the democratic process.
7. The constitution strictly restricts the powers of government leaders and agencies. In Texas, this principle was heavily emphasized after Reconstruction to keep officials from overstepping their authority.

1. Each branch of government has specific constitutional powers to check, limit, or veto the actions of the other branches, maintaining a balance of power.
3. Power is shared and divided between the national (federal) government and the state government of Texas, giving Texas authority over local matters while remaining part of the U.S. union
4. Citizens exercise their power by electing representatives (such as state senators and representatives) to make laws and govern on their behalf
6. The state's foundational document (including Article 1, the Texas Bill of Rights) explicitly protects the basic freedoms and civil liberties of citizens—such as freedom of speech, religious freedom, and equality under the law