American Government Flashcards
Government
The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
Legislative power
The power to make laws
Executive power
The power to execute, enforce, and administer the law
Judicial power
The power to interpret laws and determine their meaning
Democracy
A form of government in which the supreme authority rests with the people
Sovereign
Having supreme power within one’s territory
Majority rule
The idea that the biggest group of people will be right more often than they are wrong
Citizen
A member of a state or nation entitled to full civil rights
Limited government
Principle that states that the government is restricted in what it may do
Representative government
System in which public policies are made by officials selected by voters
Due process
The government must act fairly and in accord with established rules in all that it does
Popular sovereignty
Basic principle that says that people are the source of any and all governmental power
Delegate
A representative
Connecticut compromise
Agreement that congress should be composed of senate and a house of representative
Separation of powers
Principle that divides government between three independent/coequal branches
Checks and balances
System that permits the three branches of government to check the actions of others
Judicial review
The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action
Federalism
System of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central government and several regional governments
Amendment
A change in a constitution or law
Electoral college
Group of people in each state who make a formal selection of the president and vice president
Division of powers
Basic principle of federalism that says governmental powers are divided between the national government and the states
Delegated powers
The powers granted to the national government by the constitution
Expressed powers
The national government’s delegated that are spelled out, expressly, by the constitution
Implied powers
Delegated powers that are suggested by the expressed powers set out in the constitution
