Supreme power rests with the people. The government is conducted only with the consent of the people.

Form of democracy the will of the people is translated into public policy directly through mass meetings where citizens gather and make decisions regarding policy.

1215 - document forced on King John of England by a group of feudal barons who were seeking to limit the power of the King. Introduced the ideas of limited government, due process of law, trial by jury, and the protection of private property and civil liberties.

Principle of distributing power where power is divided among the national, or central, government, and regional governments, such as states and cities.

Governmental branches or entities operating independently from one another with a system of checks and balances. Concept introduced by Montesquieu.

A government in which one person holds unlimited political power

The branch of US Government whose purpose is to enforce laws

Alliance of independent states where the created government only handles matters that the independent states assign to it.

A government in which the power is held by a small, often self-appointed elite.

A form of democracy where representatives are chosen through elections to represent the overall will of the people.

Sovereign power is held by those who are eligible to vote, while political power is exercised by the representatives chosen by the citizens.

A form of government in which the powers are divided between a central, or national, government and several lower levels of government.

A concept where the people are sovereign and have all of the political power.

The branch of US Government whose purpose is to write laws.

The influence or power that each branch of government has over the others to ensure one branch does not become too powerful.

17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property. Wrote "Two Treatises of Government"

French aristocrat who wanted to limit royal absolutism; Wrote The Spirit of Laws, urging that power be separated between executive, legislative, and judicial branches, each balancing out the others, thus preventing despotism and preserving freedom.

The branch of the US Government that interprets the constitutionality of laws

The document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of the U.S. government and the tasks these institutions perform.

A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all US citizens by the Constitution.

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers/elected officials of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.

Powers that Congress has that are not stated explicitly in the Constitution.

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments. Concurrent powers include regulating elections, taxing, borrowing money and establishing courts.

Powers which the constitution prohibits to the national and state governments. . Examples of State Denied Powers. Enter into a treaty with a foreign county, coin money.

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution.

A procedure by which voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment.

A legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate

Procedure whereby voters can remove an elected official from office.

Clause of the United States Constitution (Article VI, Clause 2) establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, constitute the supreme law of the land.

The law of the national government.

A bill that has been passed by the State House and Senate and approved by the governor.

Organization/Group of people who have the same ideology/political positions who field candidates for elections in an attempt to get them elected and thereby implement their agenda.

Group of people or an organization seeking or receiving special advantages, typically through political lobbying.