Government Unit 2 - The US Constitution and Federalism

Amendment

A change to the constitution

Formal Amendment

An amendment that has gone through one of the processes outlined in Article V (5) of the Constitution and adds to or changes the Constitution’s wording. It has been ratified by the states and has become law.

Informal Amendment

An amendment that the Constitution does not specifically list these processes as forms of amending the Constitution, but because of change in society or judicial review changed the rule of law de facto.

Delegated Power

Powers granted by congress to help the president fulfill his duties

Exclusive Power

Powers that only the national government has

Reserved Power

Powers that only the state governments have

Concurrent Power

Powers exercised simultaneously by the states and the federal government.

Enumerated (expressed) Power

The specific powers given to Congress or the president by the Constitution; also called the expressed powers.

Implied power

Powers given to the national government by the necessary and proper clause

Inherent Power

The powers inherent to the national government because the United States is a sovereign nation

Due process of the law

The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person

Human Rights

The rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion,or any other status.

Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education etc.