Constitution Key Terms

Question 1

Codified constitution

Answer 1

A constitution that consist of a full and authoritative set of rules written down in a single text

Question 2

Supremacy clause

Answer 2

The portion of article VI which states that the constitution, as well as treaties and federal laws, ‘shall be the supreme law of the land’.

Question 3

Enumerated powers (or delegated) powers

Answer 3

Powers delegated to the federal government under the constitution. Generally those enumerated in the first three articles of the constitution.

Question 4

Implied powers

Answer 4

Powers possessed by the federal government by inference from those powers delegated to it in the constitution (necessary and proper clause)

Question 5

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 5

The final clause of article 1, section 8, which empowers congress to make all laws ‘necessary and proper’ to carry out the federal government duties.

Question 6

Reserved powers

Answer 6

Powers not delegated to the federal government, or prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or the people

Question 7

Concurrent powers

Answer 7

powers possessed by both the federal and state government

Question 8

Entrenchment

Answer 8

The application of extra legal safeguards to a constitutional provision to make it harder to amend or abolish

Question 9

Amendment process

Answer 9

Amendment process:
1:
Proposed by : 2/3 house and senate 
Ratified by:  3/4 of the state legislatures (38)
How often used: 26

2:
Proposed by: 2/3 house and senate
Ratified by: ratifying conventions in 3/4 of the states
How often used: once (21st amendment)

3:
Proposed by: legislature in 2/3 of the states calling for a national constitutional convention
Ratified by: 3/4 of the state legislatures
How often used: never

4:
Proposed by: Legislature in 3/4 of the states calling for a national constitutional convention
Ratified by:ratifying convention in 3/4 of states
How often used: never

Question 10

Constitutional rights

Answer 10

Fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution, including freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from arbitrary arrest.

Question 11

Separation of powers

Answer 11

A theory of government whereby political power is distributed among he legislature, the executive and the judiciary, each acting both independently and interdependency

Question 12

Checks and balances

Answer 12

A system of government that gives each branch — legislative, executive and judicial — the means to partially control the power exercised by the other branches

Question 13

State of the Union Address

Answer 13

An annual speech made by the president to a joint session of congress, setting out his proposed legislative programme for the coming year

Question 14

Presidential veto

Answer 14

The president’s power under article 22 of the constitution to return a bill to congress unsigned along with the reasons for his objection

Question 15

Impeachment

Answer 15

A formal accusation of serving federal official by a simple majority vote of teh hosue of representatives

Question 16

Bipartisanship

Answer 16

Close cooperation between the two major parties to achieve desired political goals. In the US system of government, it may be crucial for political success

Question 17

Divided Government

Answer 17

When the presidency is controlled by one party and one or both houses of congress are controlled by the other party

Question 18

Federalism

Answer 18

A theory of government by which political power is divided between a national government and state governors, each having their own areas of substantive jurisdiction

Question 19

Limited government

Answer 19

A principle that the scope of the federal government should be limited to that which is necessary for the common good of the people

Question 20

Popular sovereignty

Answer 20

The principle, inherent in both the Declaration of Independence and the constitution, the ultimate political authority rests with the people.

Question 21

New federalism

Answer 21

An approach to federalism characterised by a return of certain powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

Question 22

Unfounded mandate

Answer 22

A federal law requiring states to preform functions for which the federal government does not supply funding

Question 23

Great society

Answer 23

Democratic president Lyndon Johnson’s programme of economic and social reforms and Welfare Schemes — announced in May 1964 — to try to solve America’s problems of poverty, malnutrition, poo housing and access to medical care

Question 24

Medicare

Answer 24

A federal government Scheme, introduced in 1965, to provide America’s over 65s with basic health insurance to cover medical and hospital care

Question 25

Tea Party Movement

Answer 25

A conservative Grassroots organisation formed to oppose the legislation passed by congress in 2008-2009 in the aftermath of the banking and financial collapse of 2008. It supported reducing government scope and spending, as well as the lowering of tax levels.

Question 26

Devolution

Answer 26

The statutory granting of powers from the central government to a sub-national government