Public Law - General Overview

The only directly elected EU body, with members chosen by citizens every five years.

The European Parliament is elected by citizens, not national governments.

It represents national governments and their interests.

It comprises heads of state (presidents) or heads of government (prime ministers).

The most supranational body, representing the EU's overall interests.

The process of creating new EU laws.

The EU Council sets the overall political direction of the EU.

The EU Commission initiates the legislative process.

A representative assembly of a nation-state, responsible for making laws.

The power of a parliament to represent the views and interests of the people.

The process by which a parliament decides on laws and policies.

A system of government where the executive branch (government) is responsible to the legislative branch (parliament).

A system of government where the executive branch (president) is elected independently of the legislative branch (congress).

A parliament with only one chamber.

A parliament with two chambers.

A system of checks and balances where two chambers of parliament must agree on laws.

A healthcare system where the state provides medical treatment funded by taxpayer money, with optional co-payments for specific treatments.

A healthcare system where individuals access healthcare through contracts with insurance companies, regardless of whether the insurer is public or private.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, aimed to expand healthcare access and reduce costs.

A requirement that most Americans obtain health insurance or face a penalty, implemented to encourage a broader risk pool for insurance companies.

A government-funded health insurance program for low-income individuals and families, expanded under the ACA.

A key ruling in the Supreme Court case NFIB v. Sebelius, upholding the individual mandate as a tax power.

A legal challenge that questioned whether federal subsidies were permissible for individuals using federal healthcare exchanges, with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of subsidies.

A landmark case where the Supreme Court ruled that challenges against the ACA lacked standing, effectively maintaining the law despite efforts to overturn it.

A political entity characterized by a defined territory, a permanent population, a sovereign government, and the capacity to enter into international relations.

The process of establishing a centralized political authority within a defined territory, often involving the consolidation of power under monarchs.

The legal framework created and enforced by a sovereign state, encompassing laws governing internal affairs such as civil, criminal, and constitutional matters.

The exclusive and undisputed power of a state to govern its territory and people, free from external interference.

The geographically defined boundaries of a state, encompassing land, water, and airspace.

All the people residing within the boundaries of a state, subject to its laws and regulations.

The year 1648, marked by the Peace of Westphalia, is considered a pivotal moment in the recognition of sovereign states and their exclusive authority to govern their populations.

The modern state is characterized by three core elements: territory, people, and sovereignty.

International legal rules and principles that govern the conduct of nation-states, international organizations, and their relationships with individuals.

Agreements between two or more states, which are often enshrined in formal treaties.

A binding agreement between states, governed by international law, that can be bilateral (between two states), multilateral (between many states), regional (specific geographic area), or global.

The basic principles governing treaties, including their formation, entry into force, consequences of violations, and interpretation.

The fundamental principle that treaties, once in force, are legally binding upon the parties and must be fulfilled in good faith.

Rules that are established through the repeated practice of states over time, accompanied by the belief that such practice is legally binding.

Fundamental principles of international law that are considered universal and binding on all states, even if they haven't explicitly agreed to them.

A legal system that governs the European Union. It is based on the Treaty of Rome, which initially created the European Economic Community (EEC).

A legal document issued by a court ordering a government official to perform a specific duty.

The power of the judiciary to review laws passed by the legislature and executive orders issued by the executive branch to determine if they are constitutional.

A law passed by the Congress of the United States that outlines the structure and jurisdiction of the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court.

A law passed by Congress is considered 'unconstitutional' when it violates the provisions of the U.S. Constitution.

The power of the federal courts to hear cases involving the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and disputes between states or citizens (as outlined in Article III of the Constitution).

The Supreme Court's power to hear a case for the first time, without it having been previously heard by a lower court.

The Supreme Court's power to review a case that has already been decided by a lower court.

The principle that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that any law that conflicts with it is invalid.