Final answer:
Federalism is a major idea in the Constitution, emphasizing the division of power between the central government and the states, unlike a monarchy where a king or queen controls the government.
Step-by-step explanation:
A major idea in the Constitution is federalism, which refers to the system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units – in the case of the United States, these units are the states.
Other foundational principles include popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and the protection of individual liberties.
As for the characteristic that is not typical of a democracy, it would be option b, where 'A king or queen holds the majority of governmental control.' This goes against the democratic principle of power being vested in the people, either directly or through elected representatives.
Federalism is emphasized in the U.S. Constitution as both a unique aspect of American government and as a mechanism for protecting citizens' rights by balancing power between the federal and state governments.