The Constitution Flashcards
6 basic principles of the constitution
1) popular sovereignty - people are the source of power
2) limited government - government is not all powerful
3) separation of powers - 3 branches
4) checks and balances - one branch can limit another
5) judicial review - power of the courts to site with Constitution
6) federalism - division of power between national and state government
Formal amendment
Change in written wording of the constitution
Informal amendment
Unwritten changes that happen over time
5 ways informal amendments can be passed
1) basic legislation - laws
2) executive action - powers of the president
3) court decisions - nations courts decide
4) party practice - ideas brought forth by political parties
5) customs- unwritten traditions
The 7 articles of the Constitution
1-3) branches of government
4) relations among states
5) amending constitution
6) supremacy of national government
7) ratification of constitution
Amendment
Change in constitution
Rule of law
Government is never above the law
Constitution
Nations fundamental law
Unconstitutional
Against the constitution
Treaty
A formal agreement between two or more states
Veto
Presidents power to reject a bill
Ratification
Formal approval
Bail
A sum of money posted to guarantee you will appear for your court date
Bench trial
Let a judge make the ruling
Grand jury
To decide if there is enough evidence to go to trial
