constitutionalist
Founding document advocate
A constitutionalist advocates strict adherence to a constitution, especially the U.S.
Constitution.
The term often implies an originalist interpretation—that the document should be read as its framers intended, limiting government powers to those explicitly granted.
Constitutionalists argue the federal government has exceeded its enumerated powers.
The label sometimes signals libertarian or conservative political leanings.
One who guards another
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- proponentOne who advocates something
- upholderOne who maintains something
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
supporter · originalist · textualist · strict constructionist · interpreter · scholar · activist · campaigner
Constitutional distribution of authority
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
- bicameralHaving two chambers
- republicState with elected leaders
executive · legislative · judiciary · enumerated powers · supremacy clause · electoral college · ratification · convention
Supremacy of established laws
- limited governmentOfficially bounded political authority
- popular sovereigntyPopulace holds ultimate authority
- consent of the governedRulers need citizen approval
- social contractAgreement exchanging freedom for order
natural rights · republicanism · liberty · legitimacy · accountability · consent · restraint · enumeration
Interpreting by founding-era meaning
- textualismInterpreting law literally
- judicial reviewCourts invalidating unconstitutional acts
- precedentPrior authoritative example
- framersThose who construct frames
intent · founding fathers · Marbury · jurisprudence · doctrine · hermeneutics · literalism · constructionism
Change to official text
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
- due processGuaranteed judicial fairness
Bill of Rights · unalienable · privileges · immunities · suffrage · equal protection · habeas corpus · self-determination
defender
One who guards another
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- proponentOne who advocates something
- upholderOne who maintains something
guardian · supporter · originalist · textualist · strict constructionist · interpreter · scholar · activist · campaigner · vindicator
separation of powers
Constitutional distribution of authority
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
- bicameralHaving two chambers
republic · executive · legislative · judiciary · enumerated powers · supremacy clause · electoral college · ratification · convention · articles
rule of law
Supremacy of established laws
- limited governmentOfficially bounded political authority
- popular sovereigntyPopulace holds ultimate authority
- consent of the governedRulers need citizen approval
social contract · natural rights · republicanism · liberty · legitimacy · accountability · consent · restraint · enumeration · codification
originalism
Interpreting by founding-era meaning
- textualismInterpreting law literally
- judicial reviewCourts invalidating unconstitutional acts
- precedentPrior authoritative example
framers · intent · founding fathers · Marbury · jurisprudence · doctrine · hermeneutics · literalism · constructionism · amendment process
amendment
Change to official text
- libertyAbsence of unjust constraint
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
due process · Bill of Rights · unalienable · privileges · immunities · suffrage · equal protection · habeas corpus · self-determination · petition
- political labelsliberal, conservative, leftist, rightist, moderate
- revolutionariesrevolutionaries, revolutionary, rebel, rebels, Lenin
- Royalistsmonarchists, monarchist, royalists, royalist, loyalists
constitutionalistauthoritarian
Favoring absolute control
autocrat · absolutist · tyrant · despot · dictator