vocab
what is a change in, or in addition to a constitution or law
Amendment
when did the Constitution become effective
1789
what is Federalism
a system of gov in which a written constitution divides power between a central or nation, gov and many regional govs like States
What is a bill?
proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration
what is apportionment?
distributed, as in seats in a legislative body
what is the formal approvement or final consent to the effectiveness of the constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty
Ratification
What does the Bill of Rights do?
they limit the powers of Federal Gov, guaranteeing the safety of persons, opinions, and property from arbitrary acts of gov
what are concurrent powers
those powers that both the Nat Gov & the State possess & exercise
what is pigeonholed?
expression describing how most bills introduced in each session of Congress are buried, put away, or never acted upon
how many seats are in the House of Representatives, and for how long do members stay
what is 435 and 2 year terms
what are the first ten amendments to the Constitution- why are they important?
Bill of Rights- protecting individual rights
What is the time limit for proposing an amendment?
Sunset clause
what are reserved powers
those powers that the Constitution does not grant to the National Gov & doesn’t deny to the States
why did founders like Hamilton support federalism?
- to create a strong, effective national government
- that could ensure national security, economic stability
- and the preservation of the union after the weak government under the Articles of Confederation proved inadequate
what is a pocket veto
a type of veto a president may use after a legislature has adjourned when the president doesn’t sign or reject a bill within the time allowed to do so
/president does nothing for 10 days and congress is not in session
what is a pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state; a binding international agreement with the force of law but which does not require Senate consent
Executive agreement
what are enumerated powers
specific, written authorities granted to the federal government—primarily Congress—by the U.S. Constitution, notably in Article I, Section 8
what are delegated powers
those powers, expressed, implied, or inherent, granted to the National Gov by the Constitution
what is a filibuster
a stalling tactic in which senators monopolize the Senate floor w/ talk & other delays so a bill cannot be brought to a vote
what are the requirements for being a senator?
- 30+ years old
- US citizen for 9 years
- resident of the state they represent
what is change or addition that becomes part of the written language of the Constitution itself through one of four methods set forth in the Constitution
Formal agreement
Methods of Constitutional Change
what is the supremacy clause
a provision of the U.S. Constitution that states that the Constitution, federal law, & treaties of the US and the “supreme Law of the Land”
What were Thomas Hobbes ideas
social contract is important and people need it to survive
What is the difference between a presidential and parliamentary government
pres: - president is directly/indirectly elected by the people, serving 4 year terms before reelection - president is the head of state and government
Parliamentary:
- prime minister is the chief executive and stuff