Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
18 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Preamble
|
The introduction to the Constitution of the United States
|
|
Articles
|
Numbered sections of a document. The unamended Constitution is divided into 7 articles.
|
|
Constitutionalism
|
Basic principle that government and those who govern must obey the law; the rule of law.
|
|
Rule of Law
|
Concept that holds that government and its officers are always subject to the law.
|
|
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.
|
|
Checks and Balances
|
System of overlapping the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to permit each branch to check the actions of the others.
|
|
Veto
|
Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature.
|
|
Judicial Review
|
The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action.
|
|
Unconstitutional
|
Contrary to constitutional provision and so illegal, null and void, of no force and effect.
|
|
Federalism
|
A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national, government and several regional governments.
|
|
Amendment
|
A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law.
|
|
Formal Amendment
|
Change or addition that becomes part of the written language of the Constitution itself through one of four methods set forth in the Constitution.
|
|
Bill of Rights
|
The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
|
|
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 does not require Senate consent.
|
|
Treaty
|
A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states.
|
|
Electoral College
|
Group of persons chosen in each State and the District of Columbia every four years who make a formal selection of the President and Vice President.
|
|
Cabinet
|
Presidential advisory body, traditionally made up of the heads of the executive departments and other officers.
|
|
Senatorial Courtesy
|
Custom that the Senate will not approve a presidential appointment opposed by a majority party senator from the State in which the appointee would serve.
|