The term 'Founding Principle' can be summed up in one word: TENET. A TENET is a principle, belief, or doctrine that is held to be true by a person, group, or organization. It is often used to refer to the core beliefs of a religion, philosophy, or ideology. In the context of the United States, the Founding Principles are the ideals and values upon which the nation was founded, such as liberty, justice, and equality.