supporters of ratification of the constitution and of a strong central government
federalists
opponents of ratification of the constitution and of a strong central government
antifederalists
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
separation of powers
constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate
checks and balances
governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of congress
divided government
the power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a government regulation that, in the opinion of the judges, conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or, in a state court, the state constitution
Judicial Review
formal accusation by the lower house of legislature against a public official, the first step in removal from office
impeachment
an informal power; directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law; direct the bureaucracy
executive order
constitutional arrangement in which power is distributed between a central government and subdivisional governments, called states in the United States. The national and subdivisional governments both exercise direct authority over individuals
federalism
powers inferred from the expressed powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions
Implied powers
Clause in the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations
Commerce Clause
Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government
Necessary and proper clause
Powers that the Constitution gives to both the national and state governments, such as the power to levy taxes
Concurrent powers
The means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy
Linkage institutions
The widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to governments and to one another
Political culture
A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government
Political ideology
A collection of people who share a common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends. Interest groups usually work within the framework of government and try to achieve their goals through tactics such as lobbying
Interest group
A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform`
Caucus
An election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote to narrow down candidates seeking a party nomination
open primary
an election in which voters registered with that party’s primary may vote to narrow down candidates seeking a party nomination
closed primary
Election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins
winner take all system
a small political party that rises and falls with a charismatic candidate or, if composed of ideologies on the right or left, usually persists over time; also called a third party
minor party/3rd party
weakening of partisan preferences that point to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of independents
de-alignment
the distribution of individual preferences or evaluations of a given issue, candidate, or institution within a specific population
public opinion
