Details Title: APGovt.-LivingConstitution-EAR Description: Chapter 2 Total Flash Cards: 14 Created: 11/12/2008 09:25:18		New Users: To study from this flashcard set, or to create your own your own study flash cards, REGISTER HERE. Existing Users: CLICK HERE. Additional Political Studies Flashcards
Cards in this set: Term Natural Law Definition Series of essays promoting ratification of the Constitution, published anonymously by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison in 1787 and 1788 Term Seperation of Powers Definition 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. Term Checks and Balances Definition constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the tree branches of govt. to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate Term Divided Govt. Definition governance divided between the parties as when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of govt. Term Direct Primary Definition election in which voters choose party nominees Term Initiative Definition procedure whereby a certain number of voters may be petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters Term Referendum Definition procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed by the amendments to a state constitution Term Recall Definition procedure for submitting to popular vote removal of the public officials from office before the end of the term  Term Judicial Review Definition the power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or govt. regulation that is the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S.  constitution or in a state court the state constitution Term Writ of Mandamus Definition court order directing an official to perform an official duty Term Impeachment Definition formal accusation against the president or other public official; the first step in removal from office Term Executive Order Definition directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law Term Executive Privilege Definition the power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security  Term Impoundment Definition a decision by the president not to spend money appropriated by Congress; now prohibited under federal law