| Term | Definition |
|---|
| natural law | God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong which is higher than human law. |
| 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 constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate. |
| divided government | Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress. |
| partisanship | Strong allegiance to one's own political party, often leading to unwillingness to compromise with members of the opposing party. |
| direct primary | An election in which voters choose party nominees. |
| initiative | A procedure whereby a certain number of voter's may by petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters. |
| referendum | A procedure for submitting a popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution. |
| recall | A procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term. |
| writ of mandamus | A court order directing an official to perfrom an official duty. |
| congressional elabortion | Congressional legislation that gives further meaning to the Constitution based on sometime vague constutional authority, such as the necessary and proper clause. |
| impeachment | A formal accusation by the lower house of a legislature against a public official, the first step in removal from office. |
| executive order | A directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law. |
| executive privilage | The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if theu relate to national security. |
| impoundment | Presidentail refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated |
| judicial review | The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a goverment regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or, in a state court, the state constutution. |
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