| A | B |
|---|
| constitution | the plan of a government |
| unwritten constitution | a collection of laws, traditions, and court decisions that develops over time. |
| written constitution | a document stating the rules and principles on which a nation is run. |
| supreme law | the rules that shape the actions of government and the people |
| preamble | An introduction to a constitution which contains a statement of goals for the constitution |
| constitutional law | a body of rulings that carry legal force |
| autocracy | a government in which power rests in the hands of a single leader and his or her advisors |
| oligarchy | any system of government in which a small group such as a political party, holds power. |
| democracy | Any system in which the people hold power, usually through the vote |
| James Madison | the author of the United States Constitution |
