Chapter 3 Flashcards
What are the sections of the constitution called, and how many are there
Articles
7
What are the first 3 articles about
The branches
The idea that people are the source of any and all gov. power
Popular sovereignty
How does the gov. exercise its powers, and how are those people chosen
Through popularly elected leaders
The people vote for those leaders
Idea that the gov. is restricted in what it may do
Limited gov
Can the gov. take away an individual’s rights?
No
What else is a limited gov. called
Constitutionalism
How are the 3 branches divided
Independently and coequally
What are the 3 branches
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
What’s the separation of powers system also known as
A presidential system
Explain checks and balances
The 3 branches can check on each other to make sure what they are doing is constitutional
Power to reject a bill passed by legislature
Veto
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 only with the consent of the governed.
Popular sovereignty
Basic principle of American government which states that government is restricted in what it may do,mane each individual has rights that government cannot take away
Limited government
Basic principle that government and those who govern must obey the law
Constitutionalism
Concept that holds that government and its officers are always subject to the law
Rule of law
Basic principle of American system of government that the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are divided among 3 independent and coequal branches of government
Separation of powers
System of overlapping the powers of the 3 branches to permit each branch to check the actions of the others
Checks and balances
Chief executives power to reject a bill passed by a legislature
Veto
Which are the to main political parties
Democratic
Republican
The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action
Judicial review
Contrary to constitutional provisions and so illegal, null and void, of no force and effect
Unconstitutional
Which courts have the power of judicial review
All federal courts and some state courts
What case was judicial review established in
Marbury v. Madison
A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national, government and several regional governments
Federalism
In federalism, which government holds more power
National>State
How long has the constitution been in force for
200+ years
A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law
Amendment
Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty
Ratification
Change or addition that becomes part of the written language of the constitution itself through one of four methods set forth in the constitution
Formal amendment
Which 4 ways can an amendment be proposed and ratified
Proposed by 2/3 vote in each house of congress
Ratified by 3/4 vote in of the state legislatures, or 3/4 vote in state conventions
Proposed by 2/3 of national convention requested by 2/3 states
Ratified by 3/4 vote state legislatures, or 3/4 vote of conventions in state conventions
Can a state reconsider an amendment and ratify later if it rejects it once?
Yes
Can a state reject an amendment once it ratifies it?
No
The first 10 amendments to the constitution
Bill of Rights
When were the bill of rights proposed
In the first session of the first congress (1789)
What year were the bill of rights ratified
1791
For what reason did many antifederalists end up ratifying the constitution
Because of the bill of rights
What do amendments 1-9 deal with
Civil rights
All federal courts except the Supreme Court have been created by acts of congress
Began with the Judiciary act of 1789
A pact made by the president directly with the head of a foreign state; a binding international agreement with the force of law but which (unlike a treaty) does note require senate consent
Executive agreement
A formal agreement between two or more sovereign state
Treaty
Does the constitution mention political parties
No
Group of persons chosen in each state and the District of Columbia every 4 years who make a formal selection of the president and Vice President
Electoral college
Presidential advisory body, traditionally made up of the heads of the executive departments and other officers
Cabinet
How many members are in the cabinet
15
Custom that the senate will not approve a presidential appointment opposed by a majority party senator from the state in which the appointee would serve
Senatorial courtesy
Who set the 2-term presidency tradition
George Washington
Amendment that made it law that a president could only serve 2 terms
The 22nd Amendment
How many amendments does the constitution have
27
