Terms Flashcards
Federal System
A bottom up system based on popular sovereignty where some power is for the state government, some for the federal government, and some kept for the people
Popular sovereignty
A “bottom up system” where the power to govern in society comes from the people
Ex. The people of New Jersey vote for their state Governor
Cabinet
A body of high ranking officials in the Executive Branch who assist the head of the government
Ex. The President’s cabinet consists of 15 main advisors who each handle a different department- The first 3 positions are Secretary of State, Treasury, and Secretary of Defense
Veto
To refuse a bill and therefore prevent its enactment, a power of the Legislative and Executive branches
Ex. President Trump vetoed 10 Legislative bills during his term, Congress could have overridden these vetoes with a ⅔ majority vote
Checks and Balances
A system in government where each branch of government has influence over the other branches to prevent any part of government from becoming too powerful
Ex. The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches all have checks on each other. The Judicial branch can deem a Legislative bill unconstitutional and therefore unable to be enforced
Separation of Power
Powers divided between the 3 branches of the United States government
Ex. The Legislative branch creates laws, the Executive branch carries out and enforces those laws, and the Judicial branch decides if the law is constitutional
Eminent Domain
When the government takes private property for public valid purposes with just compensation, a power shared with all levels of government
Ex. After Hurricanes, state governments are able to claim flooding houses as they are unsafe for the public to live in
Divided Powers
When some power is given to the federal government, some to the state, and some powers kept for the people
Ex. The U.S federal government can not control whether the people go to college or not or their career path, that is a power kept for the people; the people must abide by federal and state taxes however
Judicial Review
The procedure where the Supreme Court (the Judicial branch) exercises their power to interpret laws and acts to determine if they are constitutional
Ex. In 2010, Chicago issued a handgun ban which the Supreme Court decided was unconstitutional as it went against the second amendment
Committee
A part of the law passing process, in the Legislative branch, where bills first get discussed in Congress, majority of bills do not get past this stage
Ex. The U.S has a veteran’s committee where bills relating to veterans would be discussed
Null and Void
A determination made by the Supreme Court that a law or act is unconstitutional and therefore can not be enforced
Ex. In 1803 during Marbury v Madison, the Supreme Court declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional
Precedent
The standard set by the court to set an example that acts as a guide for future court’s decisions
Ex. Marbury v Madison, the precedent that the Supreme Court has the power to review acts of the Federal government was set
Cloture
A part of the law making process that happens in the Legislative branch, only in the Senate- A proposal to end the debate and vote on the bill
Filibuster
A part of the law making process that happens in the Legislative branch, only in the Senate- When a Senator does a prolonged speech to delay the vote of a bill
Ex. In 2013, Senator Ted Cruz spoke for 21 hours in order to delay the voting of the Obamacare bill
