| A | B |
|---|
| popular sovereignty | power to govern belongs to the people |
| separation of powers | power is divided among three branches of government |
| legislative branch | makes laws |
| executive branch | enforces laws |
| judicial branch | interprets law |
| constituency | people who choose officials |
| checks and balances | Each branch excercises some control over the other two. |
| judicial review | the power to declare acts unconstitutional |
| Bill of Rights | first ten amendment to the Constitution |
| statutory law | laws passed by a legislature |
| executive agreement | informal agreements beteeen leaders and nations |
| the Cabinet | the President's advisers |
| executive privilege | the President's right to withhold informaton from Congress and the courts |
| fundamental law | outlines basic principles, powers and structure of government |
| Constitutional Amendment | twenty seven added over two hundred years |
| enabling act | Congress can pass whatever laws are necessary to make amendments effective |
| supremacy clause | states may not challenge or contradict the national government |
| presidential government | the executive office acts independently of the legislative branch |
| parliamentary government | government authority is held by Parliament |
| prime minister | head of a Cabinet of advisers in a parliamentary government |
