Think: American Government Flashcards

ch. 2

473819303	Constitution	the fundamental law by which a state or nation is organized and governed, and to which ordinary legislation must conform.
473819304	Unicameral legislature	one-house legislature
473819305	bicameral legislature	two-house legislature
473819306	John Locke	English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.
473819307	democracy	a form of government in which the supreme authority rests with the people
473819308	legislative power	the power to make laws
473819309	executive power	the power to enforce laws
473819310	judicial power	the power to interpret laws
473819311	Federalist Papers	a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, John Jay, published in NY newspapers and used to convice readers to adopt the new constitution
473819312	factions	A group that seeks to promote its own special interests at the expense of the common good
473819313	confederation	A league of nearly independent states
473819314	writ of habeas corpus	a court order requiring gov't authorities either to release a person held in custody or demonstrate that the person is detained in accordance with law.
473819315	ex post facto law	Retroactive criminal law that works to the disadvantage of a person.
473819316	Bill of Rights	The first ten amendments to the Constitution
473819317	Antifederalists	People who opposed ratification of the constitution
473819318	Federalists	Supporters of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government
473819319	220 Years	how long the Constitution has survived.
473819320	Judicial review	the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional