pols chapter 2 Flashcards
What is natural law?
God’s or natures law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law
what are separation of powers?
Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law and the judiciary interpreting the law.
Checks and balances?
a constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore enures that no branch can dominate.
what is autocracy?
a type of government in which one person with unlimited power rules
what is partisanship?
strong allegiance to ones own political party often leading to unwillingness to compromise with members of opposing party
what is divided government?
Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of congress.
what is unified government?
Governance in which was one party controls both the White house and both houses of congress.
What is electoral college?
The electoral systen used inelecting the president and vice president, in which voters for electors pledged to cast their ballots for a particular party’s candidates
what is judicial review?
The power of a court to review laws or governmental regulations to determine whether they are consistent with the U.S. constitution or in a state court the state constitution.
who are the federalists?
A group that argued for ratification of the constitution, including a stronger national government at the expense of states power. They controlled the new federal government until Thomas Jefferson’s election in 1800
writ of mandamus?
A court order direction an official to perform an official duty
What is congressional elaboration?
Congressional legislation that gives further meaning to the consttuon based on sometimes vague constitutional authority such as necessary and proper clause
What is impeachment?
A formal accusation against the president or another public official: the first step in removal from office
what is executive order?
A president or governors formal order to a government agency or agencies that carries the force of law
what is executive law?
the power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security
