Attempts within the structure of the US Congress to try and ensure that the two main parties must work together in order to fulfil Congressional functions.
Checks and balances
The division of power between the three branches of government where each branch has a direct ability to prevent action from another branch
Codification/codified constituition
A constitution that is written down in one document
Constitution
A set of rules determining where sovereignty lies in a political
system, and establishing the precise relationship between the
government and the governed.
Enumerated powers
Powers expressed explicitly in the Constitution
Federalism
The US system in which sovereignty is shared between a central
government (federal government) and the individual states, with
each having their own specific rights.
Limited government
The power of the US federal government over its states and citizens
is subject to limitations as laid out in the Constitution
'Principles'
The core structural aspects of how the US Constitution was defined
by the Founding Fathers when it was drafted.
Separation of powers
The three key bodies of government, legislature, executive and
judiciary each have their own powers, personnel and buildings.
