Definitions Flashcards
(22 cards)
Codified Constitution
A constitution that consists of a full and authoritative set of rules written down in a single text.
Supremacy Clause
The portion of Article 4 which states that the Constitution, as well as treaties and federal laws ‘shall be the supreme law of the Land’.
Enumerated / Delegated Powers
Powers delegated to the federal government under the Constitution.
Generally, these are those enumerated in the first 3 Articles of the Constitution.
Implied Powers
Powers possessed by the federal government by inference from those powers delegated to it in the Constitution.
Necessary and Proper Clause
The final clause of Article 1, Section 8, which empowers Congress to make all laws ‘necessary and proper’ to carry out the federal government’s duties.
Reserved Powers
Powers that are not delegated to the federal government, or prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states and to the people (Tenth Amendment).
Concurrent Powers
Powers possessed by both the federal and state governments.
Entrenchment
The application of extra legal safeguards to constitutional provision to make it more difficult to amend or abolish it.
Constitutional Rights
Fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from arbitrary arrest.
Separation of Powers
A theory of government whereby political power is distributed among the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, each acting both independently and interdependently.
Checks and Balances
A system of government that gives each branch (legislative, executive and judicial) the means to partially control the power exercised by the other branches.
State of the Union Address
An annual speech made by the President to a joint session of Congress, setting out his proposed legislative programme for the coming year.
Presidential Veto
The President’s power under Article 2 of the Constitution to return a bill to Congress unsigned, along with reasons for his objection.
Impeachment
A formal accusation of a serving federal officer by a simple majority vote of the House of Representatives.
Bipartisanship
Close cooperation between the 2 major parties to achieve desired political goals.
In the US system of government, it may be crucial for political success.
Divided Government
When the Presidency is controlled by one party, and one or both houses of Congress are controlled by the other party.
Federalism
A theory of government by which political power is divided between a national government and state governments, each having their own areas of substantive jurisdiction.
Limited Government
A principle that the scope of government should be limited to which is necessary for the common good of the people.
Commerce Clause
The clause in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution empowering Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among states.
New Federalism
An approach to federalism characterised by a return of certain powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states.
Unfunded Mandate
A federal law requiring states to perform functions for which the federal government does not supply funding.
Devolution
The statutory granting of powers from the central government to a sub-national government.
