Edexcel Politics A-level USA: US Constitution Key terms

Bipartisanship Attempts within the structure of the US Congress to try and ensure that the two main parties must work together in order to fulfil Congressional functions.

Checks and balances The division of power between the three branches of government where each branch has a direct ability to prevent action from another branch.

Codification A constitution that is written down in one document.

Constitution A set of rules determining where sovereignty lies in a political system, and establishing the precise relationship between the government and the governed.

Entrenchment A system by which the US constitution is protected from change by law; in this case, by the Amendment Process of Article V.

Enumerated powers Such powers are stated explicitly in the US Constitution – for example Article 1, Section 8 provides a list of Congressional powers.

Federalism The US system in which sovereignty is shared between a central government (federal government) and the individual states, with each having their own specific rights.

Limited government The power of the US federal government over its states and citizens is subject to limitations as laid out in the Constitution.

‘Principle’ A fundamental and ‘organising’ idea that runs throughout the US Constitution, e.g. democracy or accountability.

Separation of powers The three key bodies of government, legislature, executive and judiciary each have their own powers, personnel and buildings.

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