Constitution Vocab Flashcards
Split of authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches
Separation of powers
A system in which each branch of gov’t in is able to check or restrain the power of others
Checks and balances system
Form of gov’t in which power is divided between the federal, or national, gov’t of the states
Federalism
The opening section of the Constitution
Preamble
The notion that power lies w/the people
Popular sovereignty
A political system in which legalized force is restricted through delegated and enumerated powers
Limited gvt
Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution such as the federal power to tax; federal powers
Enumerated powers
Powers that the Constitution does not give to the national govt that are kept by the states; state powers
Reserved powers
Powers shared by the state and federal govt’s; both
Concurrent powers
Clause in article 1, section 8 of the Constitution that gives Congress the right to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its expressed powers
Elastic clause
A detailed, written plan for gov’t
Constitution
A legislature consisting of two parts or houses
Bicameral
To vote approval of
Ratify
Lawmaking branch of gov’t
Legislative
The branch of gov’t that carries out laws
Executive branch
