Key Terms of the Constitution
A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.
Republic
Limited quantities of resources to meet unlimited wants
Scarcity
The constitutional amendment that establishes the four great liberties: freedom of the press, of speech, of religion, and of assembly.
first amendment
Students in an Iowa school were suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam war. Ruled that this suspension was unconstitutional and that public school students do not "shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse door." Upheld First Amendment Right to freedom of expression
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
A belief that ultimate power resides in the people
popular sovereignty
powers that neither state or national governments are allowed to have
denied powers
the act of giving up one benefit in order to gain another, greater benefit
Right to keep and bear arms
second amendment
The 1974 case in which the Supreme Court unanimously held that the doctrine of executive privilege was implicit in the Constitution but could not be extended to protect documents relevant to criminal prosecutions
united States v. Nixon
A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.
limited Government
Powers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution, for example, the authority to print money.
delegated powers
an economy in which production, investment, prices, and incomes are determined centrally by a government.
command economy
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
eighth Amendment
Fifth Amendment case in which the Supreme Court held that criminal suspects must be informed of their right to consult with an attorney and of their right against self-incrimination prior to questioning by police.
Miranda v. Arizona
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
Checks and Balances
Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.
concurrent powers
a period during which a country's economy goes from growth to recession (= a time when business conditions are bad) and back to growth
economic/business cycle
states that people's rights are not limited to just those listed in the Constitution.
ninth Amendment
4th Amendment Case in which the Supreme court decided that a student may be searched if there is "reasonable ground" for doing so.
New Jersey v. TLO
the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government
separation of Powers
Life, liberty, and property, which are threatened by individuals who steal, kill, and otherwise act without regard for others.
inalienable rights (natural rights)
Land, labor, and capital; the three groups of resources that are used to make all goods and services
factors of production
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
seventh Amendment
The Court held that the right of an individual to "keep and bear arms" protected by the 2nd Amendment is incorporated by the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment and applies to the states.
McDonald v. Chicago
principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
Rule of Law