7th Grade Social Studies: Government - Terms Flashcards
It is a method of indirectly electing a president and vice president by a delegation (group) of electors from each state. The number of electors each state has is equal to the
number of Senators and House members the state has in
Congress.
Electoral College
The branch of government, headed by the president which carries out the laws of the land.
Executive Branch
The power of the president to reject a bill passed by
Congress in order to prevent or delay it from becoming a
law. It can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of Congress.
Veto
Philosophy that within the Constitution each of the three branches of government is able to check the power of the other to ensure that there is an equal balance of power.
Checks and Balances
The belief that government power is restricted and individual’s rights are protected.
Limited Government
A democracy in which the supreme power lies with the citizens who vote for officials and representatives responsible to them.
Republic
The idea created by the Marbury v. Madison court case that stated the power of the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional.
Judicial Reveiw
A Latin phrase meaning, “you shall have the body.” In legal terms, it gives the accused the right to due process of law. It requires a judge to evaluate whether there is enough reason for keeping a person in jail.
Habeas Corpus
People who favored the adoption (approval) of the Constitution. Supporters of a strong national government, as described in the Constitution.
Federalists
Political theory that the government is subject to the will of the people (“People Power”). The idea that the power to govern (rule) belongs to the people and that the government must be based on the consent (approval) of the people.
Popular Sovereignty
The heads of executive departments of the U.S. government who advise the president. First created by George
Washington, it is an example of “unwritten constitution.”
Cabinet
The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws; the court system.
Judicial Branch
Founding Fathers of the Constitution. People who were delegates (representatives) to the Constitutional Convention and took part in framing or drafting the proposed Constitution.
Framers
The powers that both federal (national) and state governments have.
Concurrent Powers
A plan, often written, that details the rules, functions, and principles of a government.
Constitution
A formal addition or change to a law or constitution.
Amendment
The clause (section) of the Constitution that allows Congress to pass laws as necessary to carry out its
authorized powers; also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Elastic Clause
Those who opposed (argued against) the adoption (approval) of the Constitution.
Anti - Federalists
The division of a government’s executive, legislative, and judicial powers into three separate branches.
Separation of Powers
The branch of government responsible for making laws; Congress.
Legislative Branch
The policies and practices of government that are not specifically created by the Constitution, but based on custom.
Unwritten Constitution
The powers that the Constitution sets aside for the state governments.
Reserved Powers
A process of bringing formal charges of misconduct (misbehavior) against a public official for the purpose of
removing the official from office.
Impeach
The powers that are specifically granted to the federal (national) government by the Constitution.
Delegated Powers
Principle in the Constitution that provides a person accused of a crime with procedures guaranteeing a fair trial. The federal and state government must not deprive an individual of life, liberty, or property by unfair or unreasonable actions.
Due Process (of Law)
A form of government that divides power between the national and state governments.
Federalism.
The type of government in which the ruler’s power is hereditary (inherited; born into).
Monarchy
A political system in which a weak central government has limited authority, and the states have ultimate power.
Confederacy/
Confederation
A system of government in which the people rule directly through elected representatives.
Democracy
