business law CH2 TERMS

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that protect individual freedoms from government interference.

Checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches to prevent abuse of power.

Commerce clause

The constitutional provision that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

Compelling government interest

A very strong reason the government must have to justify laws that limit fundamental rights.

Due process clause

A constitutional guarantee that the government must act fairly and follow proper procedures before depriving a person of life, liberty, or property.

Equal protection clause

A constitutional requirement that the government treat individuals in similar situations equally under the law.

Establishment clause

The First Amendment provision that prohibits the government from establishing or endorsing a religion.

Federal form of government

A system in which power is divided between a national government and state governments.

Filtering software

Programs used to restrict or block access to certain online content, often used to limit obscene or harmful material.

Free exercise clause

The First Amendment provision that protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely.

Full faith and credit clause

A constitutional requirement that states honor the public acts, records, and court judgments of other states.

Meta tags

Keywords embedded in a website's code that help search engines identify and categorize content.

Police powers

The authority of states to regulate behavior to protect public health, safety, morals, and welfare.

Preemption

The principle that federal law overrides conflicting state or local laws.

Privileges and immunities clause

A constitutional provision preventing states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Sovereignty

The supreme authority of a government to govern itself without outside interference.

Supremacy clause

The constitutional rule that federal law is the highest law of the land and overrides conflicting state laws.

Symbolic speech

Actions that express ideas or opinions and are protected under the First Amendment.