| Term | Definition |
|---|
| article | division of the Constitution |
| jurisdiction | authority |
| supremacy clause | states that the Constitution, the laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the U.S. are the supreme law of the land |
| amendments | changes to the Constitution |
| popular sovereignty | rule by the people |
| federalism | a system where power is divided between national and state governments |
| seperation of powers | determines that each branch has its own responsibilities so that one branch doesn't gain too much power |
| checks and balances | each branch of government exercises some control over the others |
| vetoing | rejecting |
| judicial review | the power of courts to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments invalid if they violate the Constitution |
| Marbury v. Madison | case that established precedent of judicial review |
| expressed powers | powers directly stated by the Consitution |
| enumerated powers | numbered powers |
| elastic clause | gives Congress the right to make all laws "necessary and proper" to meet unexpected situations |
| McCulloch v. Maryland | supports the elastic clause |
| federal bureaucracy | departments and agencies of the federal govenrment (esp. the executive) |
| ratified | approved |
| petition | appeal to |
| balanced budget | one in which the federal government's spending never exceeds its income |
| treaty | agrremtn between nations |
| executive agreement | agreement between two heads of state |
| judicial restraint | the Court should avoid taking the initiative on laws |
| judicial activism | the Court should play a role in shaping national policies (Earl Warren) |
| search/arrest warrant | orders signed by a judge describing a specific place to be searched for specific items or naming a specific person to be arrested for a specific crime |
| due process of law | the government must follow proper and constitutional procedures in trials |
Combine with other sets
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