The Constitution Flashcards
Limited government
Principle that that powers and functions of government are restricted by the U.S. Constitution and other laws
Separation of powers
Duties of governing are divided among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
Checks and balances
System that gives each branch of government the power to change or cancel acts of another branch
Veto
Presidential power to reject legislation
Judicial review
Power to determine whether the actions of the legislative and executive branches of government are constitutional
Marbury v Madison
First case with judicial review
Unconstitutional
Any law or government action that is found to violate a part of the Constitution
Federalism
Principe under which the powers of government are distributed between the national government and state governments
Supremacy clause
Declares that the Constitution, together with the U.S. Laws passed under the Constitution and treaties made by the national governs, is the supreme law of the land (Article VI)
Supermajority
A majority that is larger than a simple majority (more than 1/2)
Repeal
To cancel or revoke a law by legislative act
Executive agreements
Arrangements or compacts with foreign leaders or foreign government
Presidential power found nowhere in Constitution
Political party
Organized group that seeks to win elections in order to influence the activities of government
Electoral college
Body of 538 people elected from the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Winner-take-all election
An election for US Congress in which the candidate who receives the most votes is elected to the House of Senate
Other candidates go home and get nothing
