Constitutional Vocabulary

Preamble- the introduction to a formal document, especially the Constitution

Domestic tranquility- maintaining peace within the nation

Popular Sovereignty- political theory that government is subject to the will of the people

Republicanism- favoring a republic, or representative democracy, as the best form of government

Federalism- the sharing of power between federal and state governments

Enumerated Powers- powers belonging only to the federal government

Reserved Powers- powers retained by the states

Concurrent Powers- powers shared by the states and the federal government

Amendment- an addition to a formal document such as the Constitution.

Implied Powers- powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

Judicial Review- the right of the Supreme Court to determine if a law violates the Constitution.

Appropriate- to set something aside for a particular purpose, especially funds.

Impeach- to formally charge a public official with misconduct in office.

Constituents- people that member of Congress represent

Due Process of Law- idea that the government must follow procedures established by law and guaranteed by the Constitution.

Citizen- a person who owes loyalty to and is entitled to the protection of a state or nation.

Naturalization- a grant full citizenship to a foreigner

Separation of Power- the principle or system of vesting in separate branches, that limits the powers of the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government.

Checks and Balances- the system in which each branch of government has a check on the other two branches so that no one branch becomes too powerful.

Individual Rights- are powers and privileges to which one has a just claim.