Political vocabulary & government processes · Article 1 of 20 · United States
Constitution
The framework of public authority.
What the term means
A constitution establishes institutions, allocates powers and places limits on their use. In the United States, the Constitution creates a federal government of enumerated powers while reserving other powers to states or the people. Its amendments protect rights and alter institutional arrangements.
How it works in practice
The Constitution does not answer every policy question. It sets the legal framework in which elected officials, administrators and courts operate. The text, judicial interpretations and political practice all affect how its provisions work.
A concrete example
A federal proposal must fit within constitutional authority. Congress cannot create a power simply by declaring a desirable goal; disputes about authority can reach the courts.
What to examine next
Constitutional amendment requires unusually broad agreement under Article V. Ordinary legislation cannot override the Constitution.
Next: Federalism.