84 Vocab Review

Checks and Balances

System where each branch of government limits the power of the others.

Cooperative Federalism

Federal and state governments work together to solve policy problems.

Electoral college

Group of electors who formally select the president based on state voting results.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed for Congress in the Constitution.

Factions

A group of citizens with shared interests that may conflict with the public good.

Federalism

System dividing power between national and state governments.

Federalist Papers

Essays arguing for ratification of the Constitution and explaining its principles.

Inherent Powers

Powers held by the national government because it is sovereign

Limited Government

Government is restricted by law and the Constitution

Social Contract

Theory that citizens give government authority in exchange for protection and order.

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states for broad purposes with flexibility in use.

Casework

Help provided by members of Congress to individual constituents.

Civil Service

Government workforce hired based on merit, not political ties.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate interstate and foreign trade.

concurrent powers

Powers shared by both state and federal governments.

Congressional Oversight

Congress monitoring and reviewing the executive branch’s actions.

Discharge Petition

Procedure in the House that forces a bill out of committee for a vote.

Divided Government

When one party controls the presidency and another controls at least one chamber of Congress

Executive Order

Directive issued by the president that has the force of law.

Gridlock

When government is unable to pass legislation because of disagreement between branches or parties. (Stalemate)

Iron Traingle

Relationship between Congress, federal agencies, and interest groups that work together to shape policy.

Judicial Review

Power of the courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

Logrolling

Practice where legislators trade votes to get each other’s bills passed.

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the federal government and reserved for the states (10th Amendment).

Stare Decisis

Legal principle that courts should follow previous decisions (precedent).