Civics Vocab

Government

Government

means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish common goals like economic prosperity, secure borders, and general security.

Politics

process of gaining and maintaining control with government for the purpose of setting and achieving goals

Private Goods

Supplies needed like food, clothes and housing which are ample supplies provided by private businesses that profit.

Common Goods

Goods free of charge BUT limited (ex: fish in a pond; well water)

Public Goods

the market cant supply everything to meet the needs of high quantity and low costs so some goods are provided by government w/o charge

Toll Goods

Accessible to most people but only if they pay (ex: toll bridge; private school)

Rule of Law

No person can be above the law regardless of their position in the governement

Democracy

Political system in which the people govern themselves w/ capitalism. Promotes individualism and the freedom to act as themselves

Oligarchy

Free and/or inexpensive education, healthcare + childcare. But controls utilites and transportation like rail roads and airlines

Republicanism

The idea that people should elect representatives to speak on their behalf and that citizens have the certain duties like voting, education, defense of sate, and obeying laws.

Consent of the Governed

The concept that the people are the source of all the power

Limited Government

limit the power of the government has over its people via a constitution or social contract that protects rights.

Individual Rights

Rights that human beings have 'certain unalienable rights’ - T. Jefferson

Federalism

the concept of sharing power between the national government and state government

Power Sovereignty

Means that people have the right to rule and express their opinion via voting. the right to vote is expressed in the constitution

Seperation of Powers

no branch of government shall be more powerful as to overrule. divides functions of government (ex: law making, enforcing laws)

checks and balences

system in which each government is able to check and restrain the powers of the other branches to prevent powerful branches

Minority Rights

People cannot be deprived of certain rights even in a majority thinks they should be

Majority Rule

Opinions of the majority has more influence than minority

Representive Democracy

citixens elect representitives to vote for them

Political Power

influence over institutions leaders and policies in the hands of the people

Monarchy

Ruler through hereditary power

Popular Soverignty

the people have the right to rule and to express their opinions by voting in American gov. The right to vote is guaranteed in the constitution

Direct Democracy

people participate in government directly with voting

Totalitarianism

gov is treated as more important than citizens, controlls all of their lives, does not allow opposition

Constitutional Republic

Our system of government is best described as a constitutional republic and rule by majority.

Autocracy

absolute power is held by the ruler. It includes most forms of monarchy and dictatorship