Government and politics of the USA Key Terms

Presidential Term Limits

The constitutional restriction that limits a President to two elected terms, as established by the 22nd Amendment.

Executive Accountability

The set of mechanisms—constitutional, legislative, judicial, and political—that hold the President and executive agencies responsible for their actions.

Presidential veto

The constitutional power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless overridden by a two‑thirds majority in both houses.

Executive order

A directive issued by the president that manages operations within the executive branch, based on the president’s authority to execute the law.

Formal powers

Powers explicitly granted to the President by the Constitution, such as veto, appointment, and treaty ratification.

Informal powers

Powers that arise from political practice and the President’s position, such as executive orders, public persuasion, and agenda‑setting.

Checks and Balances

A constitutional system in which each branch of government (executive, legislative, judicial) has powers that can limit the actions of the others, preventing any single branch from becoming too powerful.

Supreme Court Review

The process by which the U.S. Supreme Court examines the constitutionality of laws and executive actions, potentially invalidating them if they violate the Constitution.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

A collection of agencies and advisors that assist the President in managing the executive branch and formulating policies.

Federal Bureaucracy

The administrative system governing any large institution, specifically the agencies and departments that implement federal laws.

Executive Power

The authority of the President to direct the federal government, enforce laws, and conduct foreign policy, derived from the Constitution and statutory law.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to assess the constitutionality of executive and legislative actions, thereby acting as a check on other branches.

Imperial Presidency

A U.S. President who expands executive power beyond constitutional limits.

Imperilled Presidency

A U.S. President whose power is constrained by constitutional checks, term limits, and congressional oversight.

Judicial Review

The authority of courts to assess the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.

Separation of Powers

The allocation of governmental functions into distinct branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent the concentration of power.

Judicial Nomination

The process by which a candidate is formally proposed for appointment to a judicial office, involving nomination by the executive and confirmation by the legislature in the United States, and recommendation by an independent commission in the United Kingdom.

Lifetime Tenure

The constitutional provision that Supreme Court justices serve for life, subject to removal only for misconduct, thereby protecting judicial independence from political influence.

Judicial Review

The process by which courts examine the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions and may invalidate those that conflict with the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

The allocation of governmental functions into distinct branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent the concentration of power.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess the constitutionality of laws and government actions.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time, not on appeal.

Judicial Review

The authority of courts to examine the legality of actions taken by public bodies and to invalidate those that are unlawful.

Constitutional Supremacy

The principle that the constitution is the highest legal authority, and all laws and actions must conform to it.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions, allowing them to invalidate those that violate the Constitution.

Lifetime Tenure

The provision that Supreme Court justices serve for life, subject to good behaviour, intended to insulate them from political pressures.

Amicus Curiae

A legal term meaning 'friend of the court', referring to someone who is not a party to a case but offers information or expertise relevant to the case.

Precedent

A legal decision or form of case law that serves as an example or rule to be followed in subsequent similar cases.

Judicial Review

The authority of courts to assess whether a law or action is consistent with the constitution or statutory framework.

Separation of Powers

The allocation of governmental functions among distinct branches to prevent abuse of power.