The Constitution Ch 3
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20 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Preamble | a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose) |
| constitutionalism | advocacy of a system of government according to constitutional principles |
| rule of law | principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern |
| separation of powers | Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law |
| checks and balances | A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power |
| veto | the power or right to prohibit or reject a proposed or intended act (especially the power of a chief executive to reject a bill passed by the legislature) |
| judicial review | the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional |
| unconstitutional | not consistent with or according to a constitution |
| federalism | the idea of a federal organization of more or less self-governing units |
| amendment | a statement that is added to or revises or improves a proposal or document (a bill or constitution etc.) |
| formal amendment | change or addition that becomes part of the written language of the Constitution itself through one of four methods set forth in the Constitution |
| Bill of Rights | The first ten amendments to the Constitution |
| informal amendment | A change in meaning, but not the wording, of the Constitution. |
| executive agreement | an agreement made between the president and a head of state |
| treaty | a written agreement between two states or sovereigns |
| electoral college | the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice-president |
| cabinet | persons appointed by a head of state to head executive departments of government and act as official advisers |
| senatorial courtesy | Presidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work. |
| articles | one of seven main divisions of the body of the constitution |
| popular vote | vote of the people in a "general election" |
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