Kaarten: Unit 5 Step 3: The Capital of the World

an abolition

The official ending of a law, practice, or institution, such as slavery.

an abortion

The ending of a pregnancy before birth.

an amendment

An official change or addition to a law or document, especially a constitution.

the Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, which protect basic rights and freedoms.

a cabinet

The group of senior officials who lead government departments and advise the head of government.

capitalism

An economic system in which businesses and property are mainly privately owned and goods and services are sold for profit.

the Capitol

The building in Washington, DC, where the US Congress meets.

a caucus

A meeting of members of a political party to discuss policy or choose candidates; also a group of lawmakers with shared interests.

charges

Formal accusations that someone has committed a crime.

congress

A national lawmaking body; in the United States, Congress consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

conservative

Favouring traditional values and institutions and generally preferring gradual rather than rapid change.

a conspiracy

A secret agreement between people to carry out something unlawful or harmful.

the Constitution

The basic document that sets out how a country is governed and defines the powers of its institutions and fundamental rights.

the death penalty

A punishment in which the state executes a person convicted of a crime.

a debate

A structured discussion in which people present different opinions and arguments about an issue.

defense

Protection against attack or danger; in politics, often a country's military protection.

democrats

Members or supporters of the Democratic Party, one of the two main political parties in the United States.

an election

A process in which people vote to choose their political representatives or leaders.

the electoral college

The US system in which electors chosen by the states and Washington, DC, formally elect the president and vice president.

election day

The day on which voters cast their ballots in an election.

electors

People chosen to cast the formal votes for president and vice president in the US Electoral College.

environmental protection

Actions and policies intended to protect the natural world and reduce pollution and other damage.

executive

Relating to the branch of government that carries out and enforces laws.

a federal court

A court in the national US court system, rather than a state court system.

a free market

An economic system in which prices and trade are mainly determined by supply, demand, and competition, with limited government intervention.

a government

The people and institutions responsible for governing a country or community.

government-funded

Paid for partly or entirely with money provided by the government.

healthcare

Services that prevent, diagnose, and treat illness and help people maintain their health.

homeland security

Measures taken to protect a country within its borders, especially against terrorism and other major threats.

the House of Representatives

The lower chamber of the US Congress, whose voting members represent districts within the states.

an impeachment

A formal accusation of serious misconduct against a public official; it does not itself remove the official from office.

an inauguration

The ceremony at which a person officially begins a term in public office, especially as president.

an insurrection

A violent uprising against a government or its authority.

judicial

Relating to courts, judges, and the interpretation and application of the law.

a justice

A judge, especially a member of a supreme court.

labour

Work, especially work done by employees; also workers considered as a group.

legislative

Relating to the making of laws or to the branch of government that makes them.

liberal

In US politics, generally supporting social equality, civil rights, and government action to address social and economic problems.

marginalised groups

Groups of people who have limited access to power, opportunities, or resources and are pushed to the edges of society.

minorities

Groups that are smaller than the majority within a population, often distinguished by ethnicity, religion, language, or another characteristic.

to overturn

To reverse or cancel a decision, ruling, or result.

a presidential candidate

A person competing in an election to become president.

the president

The head of state and, in the United States, the head of the executive branch of government.

the president-elect

The person who has won a presidential election but has not yet taken office.

a primary

An election in which voters help choose a political party's candidate for a later election.

a repeal

The official removal or cancellation of a law.

representatives

People chosen to speak or act on behalf of others; in US politics, often members of the House of Representatives.

republicans

Members or supporters of the Republican Party, one of the two main political parties in the United States.

rigged

Unfairly or dishonestly manipulated to produce a particular result.

rights

Freedoms and protections that people are entitled to under law or recognised moral principles.

a riot

A violent disturbance involving a crowd of people.

to run (for president)

To compete as a candidate in a presidential election.

the Senate

The upper chamber of the US Congress, with two senators from each state.

senators

Members of a senate; in the United States, lawmakers who represent their states in the Senate.

separation of power

The division of government authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The usual term is "separation of powers".

the Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the US House of Representatives, who leads its proceedings and plays a major role in its work.

suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

Super Tuesday

A day in the US presidential nomination process when many states hold primaries or caucuses.

the Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States and the final authority on interpreting the US Constitution.

a swing state

A US state in which either major political party has a realistic chance of winning an election.

taxes

Compulsory payments collected by the government to fund public services and other spending.

treason

The crime of betraying one's country, especially by helping its enemies or waging war against it.

veterans affairs

Government services and policies concerning people who have served in the armed forces.

the vice president

The official who serves directly below the president and can take over the presidency if necessary.

a violent protest

A demonstration in which participants use physical force against people or property.

the White House

The official residence and workplace of the US president; the term can also refer to the president's administration.