short definition
bill of attainder
concurrent powers
delegated powers
elastic clause
enumerated powers
ex post facto law
exclusive powers
federalism
general welfare
implied powers
inherent powers
prohibited powers
reserved powers
1. Bill of Attainder: A legislative act that declares a person or group guilty of a crime without a trial, usually resulting in punishment.
2. Concurrent Powers: Powers that are shared by both the federal government and the state governments, such as the power to tax and establish courts.
3. Delegated Powers: Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.
4. Elastic Clause: Also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause, it grants the federal government the power to make laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its other powers.
5. Enumerated Powers: Powers specifically listed and granted to the federal government by the Constitution.
6. Ex Post Facto Law: A law that retroactively criminalizes an action that was legal when committed, or increases the punishment for a past offense.
7. Exclusive Powers: Powers that are granted only to the federal government and not to the states.
8. Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority (federal government) and regional or state governments.
9. General Welfare: Refers to the well-being and happiness of the people as a whole, which the government is responsible for promoting and protecting.
10. Implied Powers: Powers that are not specifically listed in the Constitution but are considered necessary to carry out the delegated powers of the federal government.
11. Inherent Powers: Powers that are inherent to the sovereignty of a nation and are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
12. Prohibited Powers: Powers that are explicitly denied to the federal government or the state governments by the Constitution.
13. Reserved Powers: Powers that are not granted to the federal government and are reserved for the states or the people by the Constitution.