Unit 1: The American System

CIvics Test Review

power

The ability to do something or to make people do something

authority

The right to exercise power

legitimacy

A society’s belief that their ruler or government has authority

direct democracy

Citizens participate directly, discussions and debates are public, and people are responsible for all aspects of government

absolute monarchy

One person, a king or queen, rules the country; that person holds all power and has final say over the government

constitutional monarchy

A king or queen is granted limited power through a country's constitution while an executive (president or prime minister) and legislature conduct the day-to-day tasks of governing

theocracy

God or a divine being is the ultimate authority and religious law is used to settle disputes and rule the people

oligarchy

A government where a small group has power and runs the country. Control is maintained by oppressing those who oppose the government

dictatorship

A single leader has absolute control over citizens' lives. Other branches of government do what the dictator wants them to do. They do not represent the people.

republic

Citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government. If the people don't like what their representatives are doing, they can vote in new ones.

social contract

An agreement where the people agree to follow the government as long as the government protects the people's rights; if the government does not protect the people, the people can overthrow the government

natural rights

Natural rights are rights people have simply because they are human so they can’t be taken away by the government. Examples include life, liberty, and property.

consent of the governed

When people recognize their government's authority and legitimacy because the government is protecting the people

popular sovereignty

The belief that the people are the source of all political power

limited government

When there are rules and laws to ensure that those in charge cannot take advantage of those who are not in charge

rule of law

Principle that the government and the people are bound to follow the same laws and to be held to the same standards

separation of powers

System where powers of the government are divided so that no branch has enough power to abuse the rights of the people.

checks and balances

When each branch can stop (“check”) the other branches from overstepping their power (and thus maintain government “balance”)

majority rule

When government laws and decisions reflect the wants of most people within a society

minority rights

The idea that all people's rights should be protected by the government no matter which group is in charge

Articles of Confederation

First form of government for the United States were the individual states had more power than the national government

US Constitution

System of government based on federalism where the national government has more power than the states and is the supreme law of the land

federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national (federal) and state governments

enumerated powers

Powers given to the national (federal) government because they are specifically listed in the Constitution

reserved powers

Powers that are given to state governments

concurred powers

Powers that are shared by the national (federal) and state governments

denied powers

Powers that are forbidden to national (federal) and/or state governments by the Constitution

power of the purse

The constitutional power of Congress (legislative branch) to raise and spend money.

writ of habeas corpus

The right to know the charges against you if you are being detained by the government in jail

bills of attainder

Laws that are passed that declare certain groups guilty of crimes

ex post facto laws

Making a law apply retroactively so that someone can be punished for something that was not a crime when the action was taken

Necessary and Proper Clause

Constitutional clause that gives Congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" for executing its powers; also known as the elastic clause.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

Tenth Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the

States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

grant-in-aid

Money given to states by the federal government for a specific project