Ch 2 The Living Constitution Flashcards
V: 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
Separation Of Powers
V: 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
Checks And Balances
V: Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress
Divided Government
V: Election in which voters choose party nominees
Direct Primary
Vocabulary: God’s or nature’s law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law
Natural Law
V: Procedure whereby a certain number of voters may by petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters
Initiative
V: Procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution
Referendum
V: Procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term
Recall
V: The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or government regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or, in a state court, the state constitution
Judicial Review
V: Court order directing an official to perform an official duty
Writ of Mandamus
V: Formal accusation by the lower house of legislature against a public official, the first step in removal from office
Impeachment
V: Directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law
Executive Order
V: The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security
Executive Privilege
V: Presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriate
Impoundment
