POLS 237 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Supermajority, Jim Crow Laws, Bicameralism
19 Sep 2018
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Document Summary
Direct democracy: a system in which citizens make laws themselves rather than relying on elected representatives. Electorate: the population of individuals who can vote. Judicial federalism: the idea that the courts determine the boundaries of state-federal relations. Dual constitutionalism: a system of government in which people live under two sovereign powers. In the united states, these are the government of their state of residence and the federal government. Natural law or higher law: a set of moral and political rules based on divine law and binding on all people. Constitutional amendments: proposals to change a constitution, typically enacted by a supermajority of the legislature or through a statewide referendum. Plenary power: power that is not limited or constrained. Appropriations bills: laws passed by legislatures authorizing the transfer of money to the executive branch. Colonial charters: legal documents drawn up by the british crown that spelled out how the colonies were to be governed.
