Chapter 3(The Constitution)-Government

Political Party

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

Unconstitutional

Any law or government action that is found to violate a part of the Constitution.

Supremacy Clause

Included in the Constitution, declares that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

Repeal

Is to cancel or revoke a law by legislative act

**By what processes can the Constitution be amended?

**Amendments can be proposed by congress with a two-thirds vote in each house or by national convention called by congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures. Amendments can be ratified by legislatures of three-fourths of the states or by conventions in three-fourths of the states.

**What criticisms have some people made of the Constitution?

**Some belive that the checks and balances system makes it too easy for the president and congressional leaders to avoid responsibility for their actions.

**What is popular sovereignty?

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

**How does the Constitution create a separation of the powers of government?

**The duties of government is divided among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

**Why is the principle of judicial review so powerful?

**The judicial review decides whether or not the new law or government action proposed by the legislative and executive branches are constitutional

**What is limited government?

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

**How does the system of checks and balances limit the powers of the government?

**The system gives each branch the power to change or cancel acts of another branch. The system prevents any branch from exerting too much power.

Cabinet

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

Supermajority

A majority-such as three-fifths, two-thirds or three-fourths-that is larger than a simple majority.

Executive Agreements

Arrangements or compacts with foreign leaders or foreign goverments

Why is the principle of federalism still a topic of debate?

Because it is difficult to strike the proper balance of state and national power.

What are the six goals of the Constitution?

Form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.

What are the six principles of government in the Constitution?

Popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and federalism.

Checks and Balances

Refers to the system that gives each branch of government the power to change or cancel acts of another branch.

Electoral College

The body of 538 people elected from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The board helps contribute to the election of the vice president and the president.

Rule of Law

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

Separation of Powers

The duties of governing are divided among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Federalism

The final principle in the Constitution's blueprint, under which the powers of government are distributed between the national government and state governments.

Gridlock

The inability to govern effectively due to separation of powers

Judicial Review

The power to determine whether the actions of the legislative and executive branches of government are constitutional.

Veto

To reject

How did Jefferson and Madison differ in their views on amending the Constitution?

Jefferson believed the Constitution should be able to be changed by society per generation based on their current needs. However, Madison believed the frequent changes would cause the country to disagree often. Also, Madison thought that the country's laws and constitutions would not grow in authority/acceptance because they would not be in place long enough.