I would say that it means the essential principles of philosophy and political theory that drove the colonists to fight for independence and guided the framers of the constitution.

Based on the US Declaration of Independence, it would seem these principles are primarily:
1) the right of the people to be represented, and
2) respect for the rule of law (i.e. constitutional government, where the king does not have the final word--the law does).

The Declaration of Independence explains the philosphy of the founders to be that men are created equal and entitled by God to the rights of that include "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Their political theory is summarized by the Declaration that it is the purpose of governments "to secure these rights." However, when a long-established government tramples upon these rights, repeatedly, and without regard to the people's petitions, it is the duty of the citizens to throw off that government and establish a new one. That is, the rule of law, not of the king, is the main governing principle.

The Declaration goes on the enumerate the abuses of George III, which the colonists argued were tantamount to dictatorial rule. The gist of the document is that the King has abrogated the charter of the colonies (and by consequence has shown tyrannical disregard for the rule of law), that he has refused to listen to their repeated petitions, and that because of his disregard of these two key matters, the "Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States...Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown." I.e., it was the essentially the actions of the king that dissolved the governmental link between himself and the colonies, at which point the colonists defended themselves against Great Britain just as any sovereign nation would defend itself against invaders.
Source(s):
http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/document/index.htm

Permalink | Report