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| a constitutional arrangement in which power is distributed between a central government and subdivisional government, called states in the UNited states. The national and the subdivisional governments both exercise direct authority over individuals. |
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| constitutional divison of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, he executive applying and enforcing the law and the judiciary interpreting the law. |
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| a constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three bracnhes of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensures that no branch can dominate |
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| a type of governemtn where one person with unlimited power rules |
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| governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of congress. |
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| strong allegiance to one's own political party, often leading to unwillingness to compromise with the members of the opposing party. |
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| the power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a government regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the US constitution or, in a state courtm the state constitution. |
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| a court order directing an official to perform an official duty |
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| congressional elaboration |
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| congressional legislation that gives further meaning to the constitution based on sometimes vague constitutional authority, such as the necessary and proper clause |
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| a formal accusation by the lower house of a legislature against a public official; the first step in removal from office. |
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| a directive issued by a president or govenor that has the force of law. |
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| the power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security |
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| presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that congress authorized and appropriated. |
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| an approach to constitutional interpretation that encisions the document as having a fixed meaning that might be determined by a strict reading of the text or the framer's intent |
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| a method used to interpret the constitution that understands the document to be flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the times. |
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