3: the Constitution

information related to the creation of the US Constitution

article

one of seven main divisions of the body of the Constitution

amendment

A change to the Constitution

checks and balances

the system where each branch of government exercises some control over the others

federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

judicial review

the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional

jurisdiction

the authority of a court to rule on certain cases

Popular Sovereignty

Rule by the people

Separation of Powers

the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

Supremacy Clause

statement in Article VI of the Constitution establishing that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the United States "shall be the supreme Law of the Land"

Veto

rejection of a bill

enumerated powers

the expressed powers of Congress that are itemized and numbered 1-18 in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution

federal bureaucracy

departments and agencies of the federal government- mostly the executive branch

expressed powers

powers directly stated in the constitution

Elastic Clause

clause in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution that gives Congress the right to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers expressed in the other clauses of Article I

balanced budget

plan requiring that what the government spends will not exceed its income

executive agreement

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country

treaty

a formal agreement between the governments of two or more countries

Impeach

to accuse a public official of misconduct in office

judicial activism

the philosophy that the Supreme Court should play an active role in shaping national policies by addressing social and political issues

judicial restraint

the philosophy that the Supreme Court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions

Ratify

to approve

petition

an appeal

search warrant

an order signed by a judge describing a specific place to be searched for specific items

prior restraint

government censorship of information before it is published or broadcast

poll taxes

money paid in order to vote

lame duck

an outgoing official serving out the remainder of a term, after retiring or being defeated for reelection

due process of law

principle in the 5th Amendment stating that the government must follow proper constitutional procedures in trials and in other actions it takes against individuals

probable cause

a reasonable basis to believe a person or premises is linked to a crime

eminent domain

Power of a government to take private property for public use

arrest warrant

an order signed by a judge naming the individual to be arrested for a specific crime