Which document primarily outlines the ideals of the American government?

The Constitution of the United States is the foundational document that outlines the structure, principles, and governing framework of the American government. It establishes the three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—and delineates their powers and responsibilities. The Constitution also includes essential concepts such as checks and balances, federalism, and the rule of law, which are crucial to understanding the functioning of the American political system.

While the Bill of Rights is significant in protecting individual liberties and civil rights, it is an amendment to the Constitution rather than the principal document outlining governmental ideals. The Federalist Papers provide critical commentary and support for the Constitution during its ratification process, discussing the philosophy and reasoning behind the structure of the government. However, they are not the primary source of the governmental framework itself. The Declaration of Independence is important for expressing the philosophical basis for American democracy and the separation from British rule, but it does not lay out the governmental structure like the Constitution does. Thus, the Constitution serves as the core document that encapsulates the ideals of American governance.