click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Vocabulary 7
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Popular Sovereignty | The citizens are given power to run the government an decide on issues by voting. The People rule themselves; they make the decisions about which laws they want and how much power the government has. |
Separation of Powers | The power of government is divided between each of the three branches. |
Republicanism | Voters decide who will represent them in the government. |
Individual Rights | Certain freedoms given to all citizens that are protected by the government. They include the rights to free speech, free press, free practice of religion, assembly and petition, as well as rights given to persons accused of crimes. |
Limited Government | The government only interferes with citizen’s lives when necessary. Government is kept small so that citizens’ rights are protected. |
Federalism | Power is shared by both the national and state governments. Some powers are given to the national government or state government only, some are shared. |
Checks and Balances | Each of the three branches can make sure government is run fairly by making sure one does not become too powerful. This is done by being able to look at decisions to make sure they follow the Constitution |
Electoral College | the process used to formally elect the president, voters choose people that represent the political party of candidates and those people officially elect the president a few weeks after the election, the candidate with the most electoral votes becomes the |
elastic clause | Article 1 Section 8 allows Congress to make all laws that are necessary and proper so the government will function as designed, it allows the Constitution to be flexible and change over time to suit the needs of citizens |
legislative | the branch of government that makes laws, the US Congress is a bicameral legislature with a Senate and House of Representatives |
executive | the branch of government that has the responsibility to carry out, or execute the law, the President of the United States is the head of the executive branch and a Vice-President, Cabinet Secretaries and various departments help him with all the responsi |
judicial | this branch of government is responsible for ensuring justice for citizens and the highest court, the US Supreme Court determines the constitutionality of laws (decides if they follow the Constitution) |
Bill of Rights | the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, they guarantee basic rights, was one way the unalienable rights are protected by the government |
amendment process | allows the Constitution to be changed when needed, Steps to Change the Constitution |
due process of law | The government may not deprive citizens of “life, liberty, or property” without due process of law. This means that the government has to follow rules and set procedures in everything it does. It cannot, for example, skip parts of trials, or deny citizens |
habeas corpus | a document that protects against illegal imprisonment |
constitution | written plan of government |