US Government and Constitutional Law Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key constitutional concepts, theories of executive power, legislative principles, and federal judicial system terms from the lecture transcript.

Great Compromise

Also known as the Connecticut Plan, this agreement resolved disagreements about representation in Congress by establishing a bicameral legislature featuring the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Originalism

A principle of constitutional interpretation holding that provisions should be understood based on the plain meaning of the language at the time it was passed.

Bully Pulpit

The platform provided by the presidency that allows the leader to speak directly to and gain the attention of the American people, such as during the annual State of the Union address.

Unitary Executive Theory

A constitutional theory holding that the President must possess complete control over the executive branch, including full authority to hire and fire executive officials.

Constitutional Crisis

A situation defined in political literature as occurring when someone in government refuses to follow the Constitution.

Constituents

The individual citizens or people who are represented by an elected government official.

Anarchy

A state marked by a lack of overarching governance or centralization, rather than a total absence of any rules or governance.

Express Powers

Also called enumerated powers, these are government authorities specifically listed and stated explicitly in the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) that give Congress or the President the authority to carry out their explicit constitutional duties.

Inherent Powers

Powers that exist for an institution or state leader regardless of whether they are explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, particularly regarding borders and national security.

Prerogative Power Theory

A theory of presidential authority asserting that the President has the duty and power to take whatever action is deemed in the best interest of the nation, even if it bypasses constitutional limitations.

Original Jurisdiction

The legal authority of a court to hear a case for the first time and evaluate facts and law, which Article III gives to the Supreme Court for cases involving foreign diplomats, consulates, and ambassadors.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The power of higher courts to review decisions made by lower courts exclusively to determine if legal errors occurred, addressing questions of law rather than facts.

Judiciary Act of 1789

The federal statute that established the lower federal court system, creating district courts as trial courts and circuit courts as appellate courts.

Federal Question Jurisdiction

A basis for federal court jurisdiction over cases that involve federal statutory law or constitutional law.

Diversity of Citizenship

A basis for federal court jurisdiction applicable to legal disputes involving individuals from two different states where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.