| A | B |
|---|
| preamble | the opening sentence of the Constitution |
| rule of law | government and its officials are subject to laws |
| separation of powers | division of powers between three co-equal branches |
| checks and balances | system of rules to prevent any one branch from getting too powerfule |
| veto | power of an executive to deny a law's passage |
| judicial review | power of the court to declare laws unconstitutional |
| unconstitutional | when a law or action violates the constitution |
| federalism | national government shares power with state governments |
| amendment | formal change to the Constitution |
| bill of rights | first 10 amendments to the Constitution |
| executive agreement | power of President to have informal treaties |
| treaty | formal agreement between governments |
| electoral college | the group that actually casts votes for president |
| cabinet | the president's informal advisory group |
