Unit 2 Buzzwords Flashcards
inalienable rights
rights that cannot be taken
Articles of Confederation
compact between 13 colonies that created loose league of friendship, with the national government drawing power from states
The Federalists Papers
85 political essays in support of ratifying Constitution
Virginia Plan
bicameral legislature, executive and judicial chosen by legislature
New Jersey Plan
one house legislature with one vote per state, Congress with ability to raise revenue and Supreme Court appointed for life
Great Compromise
2 house legislature with lower house voted by people, powers divided between 2 houses. National law is supreme
judicial review
power of courts to review acts of other branches of government and the states
federalism
government derives power from people not states, federal government is supreme
separation of powers
way of dividing powers of government among legislative, executive, and judicial branches with equality and independence of each branch ensured by Constitution
checks and balances
constitutionally madated structure that gives each branch of government some degree of oversight and control over the actions of the others
limited government
role of government and its limits are written down establishes legitimacy
ratification
action which a bill, law, amendment, or document is approved and brought into effect
Federalist #10
Madison argued that political factions are undesirable but inevitable. Madison believed that excesses of factionalism could be limited by the system of republican government created by the Constitution. Argued that a large republic would fragment political power and thus curb the threat posed by both majority and minority factions. (PLURALIST THEORY)
Federalist #51
argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group
Federalist #78
the complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential in a limited constitution. No legislative act contrary to the Constitution can be valid
Anti-Federalists
favor strong state government and weak national government, oppose Constitution
habeas corpus
petition requesting judge order authorities to prove prisoner being held lawfully and allows prisoner to be freed if the government’s case does not persuade judge
ex post facto
makes an act punishable as crime even if the action was legal at time committed
bill of attainder
act illegal without judicial trial
Bill of Rights
first 10 amendments, largely guarantee specific rights and beliefs
amendment
alteration of or addition to a motion, bill, Constitution
veto
formal constitutional authority of President to reject bills
sovereignty
government rests with those being governed
necessary and proper clause
gives Congress authority to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out enumerated powers specified in Constitution; also called the elastic clause
