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Democracy
Everyone votes on an issue and candidate.
Republic
The people select the ruler or the ruler rules because of the consent of the people.
Indirect Democracy
People vote for representatives who then vote on issues on their behalf.
Monarchy
Rule by a king or queen who is born into royalty.
Oligarchy
A government run by a small group of people.
Dictatorship
A form of government where only one person has all the power in a region.
Anarchy
A situation where there is no government or ruler.
Military Junta
A government ruled by military control.
Theocracy
A government ruled by religious leaders or teachings.
Limited Government
A principle that government power is restricted and cannot be abused.
Federalism
The division of power between state and federal governments.
Constitutional Supremacy
The concept that the Constitution is the highest law of the land.
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that the authority of government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.
Separation of Powers
The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.
Executive Branch
The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws; includes the President and executive agencies.
Legislative Branch
The branch responsible for creating laws; consists of two houses in Congress.
Judicial Branch
The branch that interprets laws and determines their constitutionality.
Checks and Balances
A system that ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful.
Expressed Powers
Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution, such as declaring war.
Implied Powers
Powers not specifically stated in the Constitution but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Inherent Powers
Powers that are not written but are assumed because they are inherent to the government.
Eminent Domain
The inherent power of government to take private property for public use with compensation.
Prohibited Powers
Powers that are not allowed to the government.
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by both state and federal governments, such as taxation.
Great Compromise
A legislative agreement that established a bicameral Congress with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.
Federalist Papers
A series of essays written to defend the Constitution and persuade states to ratify it.
Federalist 10
An essay warning of the dangers of factions and advocating for a large republic.
Federalist 51
An essay emphasizing the need for checks and balances in government.
Federalist 78
An essay advocating for the independence of the judiciary and lifetime appointments for justices.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual rights.
Establishment Clause
Part of the First Amendment prohibiting the government from establishing a religion.
Freedom of Speech
The right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint.
Schenck v. United States
A Supreme Court case that established the 'clear and present danger' test for restricting speech.
Brandenburg v. Ohio
A case that determined speech can only be restricted if it incites imminent lawless action.
Defamation
False communication that harms a person's reputation; includes slander (spoken) and libel (written).
Exclusionary Rule
A legal rule that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in court.
Mapp v. Ohio
A landmark case that applied the exclusionary rule to state courts.
Fifth Amendment
Protects against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and ensures due process.
Sixth Amendment
Guarantees rights related to criminal prosecutions, including a speedy trial and the right to counsel.
Eighth Amendment
Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
Ninth Amendment
Ensures that rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution are still protected.
Tenth Amendment
Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states.
Thirteenth Amendment
Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude.
Fourteenth Amendment
Grants citizenship and contains the Equal Protection Clause.
Fifteenth Amendment
Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race.
Gerrymandering
The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party.
Obergefell v. Hodges
A Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage in the United States.
Election Process
The sequence of stages through which candidates are elected, including primaries and general elections.
Electoral College
The body that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.
How a Bill Becomes a Law
The process that includes drafting, committee review, voting, and approval by the President.
Filibuster
A tactic used in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill by wearing down opposition through prolonged debate.
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