8th grade, Ch. 9 Constitution

Front

the system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches

Back

checks and balances

Front

the part of government that carries out, or executes, the laws

Back

executive branch

Front

the constitutional system that shares power between the national and state governments

Back

federalism

Front

an organization that actively promotes the view of some part of the public on specific issues in order to influence government policy

Back

interest group

Front

trade and other business dealings between two or more states

Back

interstate commerce

Front

the part of government, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, that interprets the laws

Back

judicial branch

Front

the power of the Supreme Court to decide whether laws and acts made by the legislative and executive branches are unconstitutional

Back

judicial review

Front

the lawmaking part of government, called the legislature. To legislate is to make a law.

Back

legislative branch

Front

a basic principle of democracy that says laws are passed by majority vote and elections are decided by a majority of the voters

Back

majority rule

Front

the idea that the government’s authority comes from the people

Back

popular sovereignty