Chapter 4 Vocab Flashcards
a system of government in which the states form a union and the sovereign power is divided between the central government and the member states
federal form of government
the principle under which the powers of the national government are divided among three separate branches-the executive, legislative, and judicial branches-each of which exercises a check on the actions of the others
checks and balances
the provision in Article I, Section 8, of the US Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce
commerce clause
powers possessed by the states as part of their inherent sovereignty; these powers may be exercised to protect or promote the public order, health, safety, morals, and general welfare
police powers
the requirement in Article VI of the US Constitution that provides that the Constitution, laws and treaties of the United States are the “supreme law of the land”
supremacy clause
a doctrine under which certain federal laws preempt, or take precedence over, conflicting state or local laws
preemption
the first ten amendments to the US Constitution
Bill of Rights
nonverbal expressions of beliefs; includes gestures, movements, and articles of clothing and is given substantial protection by the courts
symbolic speech
a test of constitutionality that requires the government to have convincing reasons for passing any law that restricts fundamental rights such as free speech or distinguishes among people based on a suspect trait
compelling government interest
a computer program that is designed to block access to certain Web sites based on their content
filtering software
a key word in a document that can serve as an index reference to the document
meta tag
the provision in the first amendment that prohibits the government from establishing any state-sponsored religion or enacting any law that promotes religion or favors one religion over another
establishment clause
the provision in the First Amendment that prohibits the government from interfering with people’s religious practices and forms of worship
free exercise clause
the provisions in the fifth and fourteenth amendments that guarantee that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
due process clause
the provision in the fourteenth amendment that requires state governments to treat similarly situated individuals in a similar manner
equal protection clause
