| A | B |
|---|
| Preamble | The introduction to the constitution |
| articles | The constitution is divided into 7 of these |
| constitutionalism | basic principle that gov't and those who govern must obey the law;gov't must be conducted according to constitutional principles |
| rule of law | holds gov't & its officials subject to the law |
| separation of powers | Basic principle of American system of gov't, that the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are divided among three independent and coequal branches of gov't. |
| checks and balances | System of overlapping the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to permit each branch to check the actions of the others |
| veto | Chief Executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature |
| judicial review | The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a gov't action |
| unconstitutional | Contrary to constitutional provision and so illegal, null and void, of no force and effect |
| federalism | A system of gov't in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national, government and several regional govt's |
| amendment | A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law. |
| formal amendment | Change or addition that becomes part of the written language of the Constitution itself through one of four methods set forth in the Constitution. |
| Bill of Rights | The first ten amendments to the Constitution. |
| informal amendment | day-to-day, year-to-year experiences of government other than formal amendment 1.passage of legislation 2. actions taken by the President 3. key decisions of the Supreme Court 4. activities of political parties 5. custom |
| executive agreement | A pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state; a binding international agreement with the force of law but which (unlike a treaty) does not require Senate consent. |
| treaty | A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states. |
| electoral college | Group of persons chosen in each State and the District of Columbia every four years who make a formal selection of the President and Vice President. |
| Cabinet | Presidential advisory body, traditionally made up of the heads of the executive departments and other officers. |
| senatorial courtesy | Custom that the Senate will not approve a presidential appointment opposed by a majority party senator from the State in which the appointee would serve. |
