Chapter 2 The Constitutional Setting

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

The basic law of a state or nation that takes precedence over all other laws and actions of the government

Question 2

Constitutional Amendments

Answer 2

A change in a constitution that is approved by both the legislative body, and, in Texas, the voters. National constitutional amendments are not approved directly by voters

Question 3

Reserved Clause

Answer 3

Governmental powers reserved for the states and the people by the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

Question 4

Dual Federalism (layer cake)

Answer 4

A division of powers between the nation and the states that emphasizes each level operating independently

Question 5

Cooperative Federalism (marble cake)

Answer 5

A concept of federalism emphasizing cooperative and collective interaction between the nation and the states

Question 6

Picket fence federalism

Answer 6

A refinement of the concept of cooperative federalism that also emphasizes the role of the bureaucracy and of private interest groups in policy implementation

Question 7

Separation of Powers

Answer 7

A system of assigning specific powers to individual branches (or departments, in Texas) of government. In reality, the powers of the branches overlap, so that “separate institutions sharing powers” would be a more accurate term

Question 8

Incorporation

Answer 8

A historical activity by the U.S Supreme Court that makes the protections of citizens rights established in the Constitution applicable to stay and local governments

Question 9

Bill of rights

Answer 9

A secretion of a constitution that lists the civil rights and liberties of citizens and places restrictions on the powers of government

Question 10

Constitutional Revision

Answer 10

Making major changes in the constitution, often including the writing of an entirely new document

Question 11

Checks and Balances

Answer 11

An arrangement whereby each branch of government has some power to limit the actions of other branches

Question 12

Plural executive

Answer 12

A system of organizing the executive branch that includes the direct election of multiple executives, thereby weakening the chief executive, the governor.

Question 13

Home rule

Answer 13

The ability of cities with populations of 5,000 or more to organize themselves as they wish within the constitution and laws of Texas