Test 1 Flashcards
enabling act
a congressional act directing the people of a US territory to frame a proposed State constitution as a step toward admission to the Union
amendment
a change in, or addition to a constitution or law
delegated powers
those powers, expressed, implied, or inherent, granted to the National Government by the Constitution
rule of law
concept that the government and its officers are always subject to the law
Privileges & Immunities Clause
Constitution’s stipulation that all citizens are entitled to certain “privileges and immunities,” regardless of their State of residence
separation of powers
basic principle of American system of government that the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are divided among three independent and coequal branches of government
exclusive powers
those powers which can be exercised by the National Government alone
Bill of Rights
first ten amendments to the Constitution
block grant
one type of federal grants-in-aid for some particular but broadly define area of public policy
concurrent powers
those powers that both the National Government and the States possess and exercise
powers denied to states
- deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
- enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation
- print or coin money
- imprison, execute, or fine citizens before providing due process in the State’s judicial system.
- tax any of the agencies or functions of the National Government.
implied powers
those delegated powers of the National Government that are suggested by the expressed powers set out in the Constitution
federalism
a system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national, government and several regional governments, like States
Anti-Federalists
those persons who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in 1787–1788
ratification process
formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty
Article VI
national debts, supremacy of national law, and oaths of office
categorical grants
one type of federal grants-in-aid; made for some specific, closely defined purpose
McCulloch vs. Maryland
McCulloch refused to pay the tax on the Second Bank of the US so Maryland convicted him - significance of the role of Court as the umpire of the federal system
expressed powers
those delegated powers of the National Government that are spelled out in the Constitution
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Constitution’s requirement that each State accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State
Article V
amending the Constitution
Judiciary Act of 1789
created a Court of 6 justices
executive agreement
a pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state; a binding international agreement with the force of law but which (unlike a treaty) does not require Senate consent
limited government
basic principle of the American government stating that government is restricted in what it may do, and each individual has rights that government cannot take away
unwritten customs
as strong as written law & developed in our governmental system
popular sovereignty
a government that exists only with the consent of the governed
