Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws
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rule of law
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principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
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ratification
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Formal approval
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formal amendment
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change or addition that becomes part of the written language of the Constitution itself through one of four methods set forth in the Constitution
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limited government
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A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.
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federalism
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A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments
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Popular Sovereignty
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A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
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unconstitutional
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Contrary to what is permitted by the constitution
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cabinet
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Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president.
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senatorial courtesy
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Presidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work.
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electoral college
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A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president
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veto
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Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature
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constitutionalism
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The theory developed in early modern England and spread elsewhere that royal power should be subject to legal and legislative checks.
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separation of powers
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Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law
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amendment
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A change to the Constitution
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bill of rights
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First 10 amendments
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executive agreement
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A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.
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checks and balances
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A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
