Overview of U.S. Government Structure and Law

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the structure of the U.S. government and the legal system.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that creates and passes laws; it consists of Congress, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Executive Branch

The branch of government headed by the President, responsible for enforcing laws and managing foreign relations.

Judicial Branch

The system of courts, led by the Supreme Court, that interprets laws and ensures they align with the Constitution.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with some measure of influence over the others.

Dual Sovereignty

The principle that power is shared between the federal government and state governments.

Primary Source of Law

A source that establishes law on a particular issue, such as the U.S. Constitution or statutory law.

Secondary Source of Law

A resource that summarizes and clarifies primary sources of law, such as legal encyclopedias and law review articles.

Stare Decisis

A doctrine under which judges are obligated to follow legal precedents established in prior decisions.

Statutory Law

Laws that are enacted by legislative bodies, such as statutes passed by Congress or state legislatures.

Administrative Law

Law governing the creation and regulation of government agencies.

Common Law

Law developed from judicial decisions and based on precedents rather than statutes.

Legal Positivism

The belief that laws must be obeyed regardless of their moral content, as long as they are enacted by the state.

Natural Law

The belief in universal, higher laws that all humans must follow; laws not aligned with natural law are deemed invalid.

Civil Law

The body of law dealing with disputes between individuals, typically about contracts, property, or personal injury.

Criminal Law

The body of law dealing with actions considered offenses against society, such as theft or murder.

International Law

Law regulating relations between countries, including treaties and customs.

Equity Law

A branch of law focused on fairness and justice, often involving remedies beyond monetary compensation.

Business Law

Law governing the legal aspects of running a business, including contracts and intellectual property.