United States Government Chapter 3 Vocab

reserved powers

All powers not given to the federal government

supremacy clause

Contained in article 6 of the Constitution-supreme law of the land- establishes the federal constitution.

checks and balances

The system that gives each branch of government the power to change or cancel acts of another branch. Prevents each branch from exerting too much power

cabinet

a group of advisers consisting of the heads of the executive departments.

supermajority

a majority such as 3/5s, 2/3s, 3/4s that is larger than a simple majority

fiscal federalism

a system of spending , taxing and providing aid in the federal system

executive agreements

arrangements or compacts the US presidents makes with foreign leaders or foreign governments

Electoral college

body of 538 people elected from the 50 states and the district of Columbia.

Rule of law

concept that every member of society, including the ruler of government, must obey the law and is never above it

Popular Sovereignty

concept that government gets its authority from the people and that ultimate political power remains with the people.

judicial review

exercised by the courts, power to determine whether the actions of the legislative and executive branches of government are constitutional.

grants-in-aid

federal funds given to the state and local governments for specific purposes.

block grants

federal grants that are given for more general purposes or broad policy areas such as welfare, public health, community development or education.

categorical grants

grants on federal money or other resources to the state, and or their cities, countries or local units, this money allows them to perform many of their daily functions.

gridlock

inability to govern effectively due to separation of powers and a conflict between parties.

unconstitutional

law or government action that is found to violate a part of the constitution

implied powers

national government, not specifically listed in the constitution, but logical extensions of expressed powers. Examples- Policies such as building highways, regulating food.

political party

organized group that seeks to win elections in order to influence the activities of government.

inherent powers

powers given to the national government because it is the national government

expressed powers

powers granted to the national government, also called enumerated powers. Examples Congress can issue money, collect taxes, trade among states

federal mandates

regulations that the national government imposes on state and local governments

veto

reject legislation, president's power

separation of powers

the duties of governing are divided among 3 branches: Legislative, Executive, Judicial.

concurrent powers

the power that is shared by both the federal and state governments

federalism

the powers of government are distributed between the national and state governments.

Limited Government

the principle that the powers and functions of government are restricted by the US Constitution and other laws

Full faith and credit clause

the provision of the constitution that requires each state to honor the public acts, official records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

repeal

to cancel or revoke- such as a law- by a legislative act- 21st amendment