1.3 - Separation of Powers - Vocab

Separation of powers

splitting up the national government into three branches: executive, legislative & judicial (to prevent any one person or group from having all of the power)

Checks and Balances

the ability of each branch to check the other two branches (to prevent abuse of power) so that they all stay equal and limited

limited government

A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution (e.g., federalism and the Bill of Rights)

Judicial review

The power of the courts to declare laws and presidential orders unconstitutional (a check)

Veto

The president's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature (a check)

Veto override

reversal of a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress (a check)

Appointments

the president's choices to become judges or high positions in the government (a check)

Impeachment

Congress's ability to remove a member of the other two branches for committing a crime (a check)

Confirmation

The requirement that the Senate approve of presidential appointments (a check)

Legislative Branch

the branch that writes laws

Judicial Branch

the branch that interprets the laws

Executive Branch

the branch that enforces the laws