Texas Government Vocab

Front

Limited Government

Back

The idea that a government may use only powers given to it by the people.

Front

Popular Sovereignty

Back

People in a state decide their government and laws (power to the people).

Front

Separation of Powers

Back

Three branches of government: executive, legislative, judicial and their responsibilities.

Front

Checks and Balances

Back

Each branch of government checks the power of the other two branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Front

Individual Rights

Back

Basic rights and liberties guaranteed to all citizens by the Bill of Rights.

Front

Republicanism

Back

favoring a republic, where people rule through elected representatives.

Front

Federalism

Back

Powers divided or shared between federal and state governments.

Front

Bill of Rights

Back

First ten amendments to the US Constitution

Front

Veto

Back

Power by the executive branch to reject a law.

Front

Principle

Back

an idea, law or truth for which actions are based