| A | B |
|---|
| judicial review | the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a government action |
| checks and balances | each branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations of the other two |
| treaty | a formal agreement between two or more sovereign states |
| cabinet | an advisory body to the president |
| separation of powers | basic powers are distributed among three distinct and independent branches of government |
| amendment | changes in the written words of the constitution |
| formal amendment | changes of additions that become part of the written language of the constitution itself |
| executive agreement | a pact made by the president directly with the head of a foreign state |
| rule of law | government and its officers are always subject to the law |
| federalism | division of power among a central government and several regional governments |
| Bill of Rights | the first ten amendments |
| constitutionalism | government must be conducted according to constitutional principles |
| electoral college | the group that makes the formal selection of the nation president |
| preamble | introduction to the constitution |
| articles | the rest of the constitution that is divided into seven numbered sections |
| unconstitutional | to declare illegal null and void |
| senatorial courtesy | unwritten rule that is closely followed in the senate |
| veto | reject |
