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Topic 3: The Constitution

Terms in this set (41)

bicameral
legislative body composed of two chambers
Executive Article
Article II of the Constitution. Establishes the presidency and gives the power of the Federal Government to the President
inferior courts
the lower federal courts, beneath the Supreme Court
popular sovereignty
basic principle of the American system of government which asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power, and government can exist with the consent of the governed
limited government
basic principle of American government is restricted to what it may do, and each individual has rights that the government cannot take away
constitutionalism
basic principle that government and those who govern must obey the law
rule of law
concept that government and its officers are always subject to the law
separation of powers
basic principle of the american system of government that the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are divided among three independent and coequal branches of government
checks and balances
system of overlapping the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to permit each branch to check the actions of the others
veto
chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by legislature
judicial review
power of the court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action
unconstitutional
contrary to constitutional provision and so illegal, null and void, of no force and effect
federalism
a system of government in which powers are divided between na central government and several local governments
amendment
system for changing constitution; add to the constitution if passed
ratification
approval
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments to the Constitution
executive agreement
A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.
treaty
formal agreemnet between two countries
electoral college
A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president
Cabinet
A group of advisers to the president.
senatorial courtesy
...
federalism
a system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national government and several regional governments
division of powers
basic principle of federalism; the constitutional provisions by which the governmental powers are divided on a geographic basis
delegated powers
those powers, expressed, implied, or inherent, granted to the national government by the Constitution
expressed powers
those delegated powers of the National Government that are spelled out, expressively, in the Constitution; also called the "enumerated powers"
implied powers
those delegates powers of the National Government that are suggested by the expressed powers set out in the constitution, those "necessary and proper" to carry out the expressed powers
inherent powers
powers the Constitution is presumed to have delegates to the National Government because it is the government of a sovereign state within the world community
exclusive powers
those powers that can be exercised by the National Government alone
concurrent powers
those powers that both the national government and the states possess and exercise
Supremacy Clauses
a provision of the US Constitution that states that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties of the US are the "supreme Law of the Land"
Northwest Ordinance
document that makes a territory a state
enabling act
a congressional act directing the people of a United States territory to frame a proposed State constitution as a step towards admissions to the Union
act of admission
congressional act admitting a new State to the Union
grants-in-aid programs
grants of federal money or other resources to States, cities, countries, and other local units
Categorical grants
grant-in-aid; made for some specific, close defined purpose
block grants
grant-in-aid; for some particular but but broadly defined area of public policy
project grants
grand-in-aid; for specific projects to States, localities, and private agencies who apply for them
interstate compacts
formal agreement entered into with the consent of Congress, between or among States, or between a Sate and foreign state
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State
extradition
the legal processes by which a fugitive from justice in one State is returned to that state
Privileges and Immunity Clause
constitution's stipulation that all citizens are entitled to certain "privileges and immunities" regardless of their state residence; no state can draw unreasonable distinctions between its own residence and those persons who happen to live in other states
THIS SET IS OFTEN IN FOLDERS WITH...