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