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DEMOCRACY Type of government in which people have freedom of choice. DEMOCRACY The idea that government must have the "consent of the governed" is most associated with this type of government. CONSTITUTION In the United States this document establishes the guidelines for how our government operates. FEDERALISM System we have in the United States in which there are both state governments and a national or federal government. These levels of government have different main areas of responsibility. EDUCATION In America's federal system a key reserved power of the states is responsibility for controlling this. LEGISLATIVE Branch of government that makes the laws. CONGRESS Name of the legislative branch in America. BICAMERAL Term for a legislative branch that has two houses or parts. In the United States the two parts are the House of Representatives and Senate. EXECUTIVE The President is the head of this branch. EXECUTIVE This branch carries out or enforces the laws that are passed. REGULATORY AGENCIES Part of the executive branch these actually do the enforcement of national laws. Examples include the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Communications Commission. JUDICIAL Branch of government that must interpret the laws and has the power to rule if laws are constitutional or not. SEPARATION of POWERS The division of government power into three branches each having different duties and the ability to balance each others powers. CHECKS and BALANCES System within the national government that allows each branch to limit the power of the other branches. VETO Example of checks and balances - it is when the President rejects a law passed by Congress. SENATE An example of checks and balances - this part of government has the power to reject a treaty negotiated by the President. AMENDMENT If something is specifically in the Constitution this is the only method that can change it. BILL of RIGHTS The first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect people's basic liberties(rights). JUDICIAL The Supreme Court is what branch of government. JUDICIAL REVIEW The power of the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional. MARBURY v.MADISON Court case decided in 1803 in which the Supreme Court created for itself the power of judicial review. JOHN MARSHALL Chief Justice who used a loose interpretation of the Constitution to expand the power of the national government in the early 1800's. AMENDMENT Formal method in the Constitution that allows the Constitution to adapt to changing times. ELASTIC CLAUSE Section of the Constitution that allows Congress to extend its powers/duties and make laws about items that are not specifically delegated to Congress. NECESSARY and PROPER CLAUSE What the elastic clause is also known as - it is the actual phrase used in the Constitution. IMPLIED Powers that come from the use of the elastic clause are called this. INTERSTATE COMMERCE CLAUSE Delegated power that is most often used along with the elastic clause to regulate business. ELECTORAL COLLEGE Method for electing the President that was included in the Constitution because the Founding Fathers did not trust the wisdom of he common people. ELECTORAL In order to win a Presidential election a candidate must win a majority of this vote. IMPEACH To formally accuse a public official of misconduct in office. HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES In the impeachment process the formal accusation of wrongdoing is done by this part of Congress. SENATE In the impeachment process the actual trial is held in this house of Congress. ANDREW JOHNSON President in the 1800's who was formally impeached, but not convicted because of his conflict with the Radical Republicans in Congress. BILL CLINTON President who was impeached, but not convicted in the 1900's for lying under oath. RICHARD NIXON President who was involved in the Watergate Scandal and resigned before he could be impeached. LOBBYIST A member of a special interest group that tries to influence what laws are passed. They are criticized because they spend large amounts of money and have too much influence on the government. UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTION Practices involving the operation of the U.S. government that are based upon custom and tradition rather than being specifically listed in the Constitution. UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTION Political parties, the President's Cabinet, and judicial review are all examples of this concept. JUDICIAL REVIEW This power is held by the Supreme Court and is an example of checks and balances.