Chapter 3 Flashcards
ratify
to approve
legislative branch
governing body that creates laws
executive branch
governing body that enforcing laws
judicial branch
governing body that interprets the law
federalism
a system in which power is divided between the national and state governments
militia
a group of people who aren’t a part of the armed forces of a country but are trained like soldiers
slander
a false speech intended to damage a persons reputation
lame duck
an outgoing official serving out the remainder of a term, after retiring, or being defeated for reelection
eminent domain
the power of the government to take private property for public use
bureaucracy
government administrators
judicial activism
the philosophy that the supreme court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions
judicial review
the power of the supreme court to declare laws and actions of local, state or national governments unconstitutional
checks and balances
the system where each branch of government exercises some control over the others
separation of powers
the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government
broad interpretation
an interpretation of the US Constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions(particularly decisions of the Supreme Court) judicial activism
strict interpretation
interpreting the Constitution based on a literal and narrow definition of the language without reference to the differences in conditions when the Constitution was written and modern conditions, inventions and societal changes
elastic clause
Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution that gives Congress the right to make laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the powers expressed in the court other clauses of Article 1
Expressed powers
powers directly states in the Constitution
Due process of law
the content of laws and procedures of government must be fair and reasonable
probable cause
a reasonable basis to believe a person or premises is linked to a crime
Prior restraint
government censorship of information before it’s published or broadcasted
treaty
a formal agreement between the governments of 2 or more countries
executive agreement
an agreement made between the president and a head of state
impeach
to accuse a public official of misconduct in office
petition
an appeal
enumerated powers
the expressed powers of congress that are itemized and numbered, 1-18 in Article 1 Section 8
Jurisdiction
the authority of a court to rule on certain cases
popular sovereignty
rule by the people
limited government
a system in which the power of the government is limited, not absolute
supremacy clause
statement in Article 4 of the Constitution establishing that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the US “shall be the supreme Law of the Land”
Veto
rejection of a bill
6 goals of the Preamble
establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare secure the blessings of liberty form a more perfect union
7 articles
Article 1-legislative branch
Article 2-executive branch
Article 3-judicial branch
Article 4-explained the relationship of the states to one another and to the national government
Article 5-spells out the ways that the Constitution can be amended(changed)
Article 6-contains the Supremacy Clause
Article 7-addresses ratification and declares that the Constitution would take effect after it was ratified by 9 states
Formal amendment process
the legislatures in 3/4 of states can ratify an amendment
Informal amendment process
States can hold special conventions and then have 3/4 of the conventions approve it
6 basic principles found in the Constitution
popular sovereignty limited government separation of powers checks and balances judicial review federalism
