Unit One Terms List - USGOV 1.0

Autocracy

A system of government by one person with absolute power,

Oligarchy

A small group of people having control of a county, organization or an institution

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Direct Democary

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The people decide on policies without any intermediary or representatives 

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Representative Democracy

People vote for representatives who then enact policy initiatives 

Plutocracy

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 A country or society governed by the wealthy; government by the wealthy 

Ochlocracy

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Government by a mob; mob rule 

Totalitarian Regime

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A form or government that attempts to assert total control over the lives of its citizens 

Authoritarian Regime

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A concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible to the people; demanding that people will obey completely and refuse to allow them freedom to act as they wish. 

Constitutional Regime

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Governments that establish documented rules or principles about the legal limits of the government. 

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Traditional System

An economic system in which traditions, customs, and beliefs help shape the goods and services the economy produces, as well as the role and manner of their distribution, relying on customs, history and time-honored beliefs. 

Charismatic System

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Based on a charismatic leader, and power is determined by the leader possessing a dynamic personality

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Bureaucratic System

Complex organization that has multi layered systems and processes

“Excessive Democracy”

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Giving the masses “too much” power

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship.

Separation of Powers

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the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. (U.S.: Legislative, executive, judicial) 

Checks and Balances

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Counterbalancing influences by which an organization or system is regulated, typically those ensuring that political power is not concentrated in the hands of individuals or groups. 

Federal System

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A system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government 

Unitary System

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A system of political organization in which most or all of the governing power resides in a centralized government, in contrast to a federal state.

Expressed Powers

The powers of the national government explicitly listed in the Constitution

Inherent Powers

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Those not explicitly stated in the Constitution that allows the government to take actions, which are needed to efficiently perform essential duties 

Implied powers

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Political powers granted to the U.S. government that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution. 

Tenth Amendment

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The Federal Government only has those powers delegated in the Constitution. 

Elastic Clause

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 A statement in the U.S. Constitution granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers

National Supremacy Clause

Establishes that the federal constitution and federal law generally, take precedence over state laws, and even state Constitutions.

Political Socialization

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The process by which individuals learn and frequently internalize a political lens framing their perception of how power is arranged and how the around them is organized. 

Conservatism

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Commitment to traditional values and ideas with opposition to change or innovation 

Liberalism

willingness to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own; openness to new ideas.

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Fifteenth Amendment

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The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

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Nineteenth Amendment

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The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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Voting Rights Act of 1965

Outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting.

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Twenty-Sixth Amendment

The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

Realignment

 A period when a major, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties

Dealignment

A trend or process whereby a large portion of the electorate abandons its previous partisan affiliation, without developing a new one to replace it.

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“Third Party”

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A person or group besides the two primarily involved in a situation, especially a dispute.

Platform

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The declared policy of a political party or group.

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Open Primary

A primary election in which voters are not required to declare party affiliation.

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Closed Primary

A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote.

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Party Convention

The conference is attended by certain delegates who represent the party membership.

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Electoral College

A body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

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Interest Group

An organization whose goal is to influence government

Lobbying

Communicating with any official in the legislative or executive branch for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action or a ballot issue. 

Access

A point in the policymaking process where ordinary citizens can influence government

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates.