Key Concepts in American Government

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Federalists

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Supporters of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government

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Antifederalists

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Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government, generally.

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Separation of powers

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Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

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Checks and balances

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Constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others.

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Divided government

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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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Judicial review

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The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a government regulation that conflicts with the U.S. Constitution.

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Impeachment

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Formal accusation by the lower house of legislature against a public official, the first step in removal from office.

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Executive order

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An informal power; directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law.

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Federalism

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Constitutional arrangement in which power is distributed between a central government and subdivisional governments.

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Implied powers

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Powers inferred from the expressed powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.