Civics

Government

The person or group who has power over citizens

Theocracy

Government ruled by religious doctrine or religious leaders

Direct Democracy

People rule, or vote on laws, not elected officials

Representative Democracy

Government ruled by elected officials (also called Indirect Democracy)

Dictatorship

Government ruled by a person having complete control

Totalitarian

A government that controls everything; people have little or no say

Monarchy

Government whose leader was born into power

Salutary Neglect

British policy of loose control over the colonies, the colonies were able to rule themselves

Colony

People living in one place who are ruled by a country somewhere else

Compact

An agreement

Social Contract

An agreement between a government and its citizens

Natural Rights

Rights a person has just by being born such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Parliament

Representative legislature of Great Britain

Mercantilism

British economic theory of selling more than it buys

Refugee

A person who flees their country because of war, famine, or natural disaster

Naturalization

The process of becoming a citizen

Civics

The study of rights and responsibilities of citizens

Rule of Law

Everyone, including government officials, must obey the law

Popular Sovereignty

The people have the power

Checks and Balances

Three branches use their powers to keep each other from abusing powers

Federalism

Two levels of government, state and national, with national (federal) being supreme

Concurrent Powers

Powers granted to both state and federal governments

Expressed Powers

Powers given to the national government in the US Constitution

Reserved Powers

Powers of the states (10th amendment)

Implied Powers

Suggested powers of Congress not specifically written in Constitution

Preamble

An introduction to a document

Supremacy Clause

National government overrules states if there is a conflict

Elastic Clause

Grants Congress power to pass laws on issues not stated in Constitution

Exercise Clause

Americans have the right to exercise and practice religion freely

Establishment Clause

There can be no establishment of a national religion in the US

Exclusionary Rule

Evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in trial

Eminent Domain

The right of the government to take land for public use

Suffrage

The right to vote

Liberties

Rights and freedoms granted to citizens in the Constitution

Petition

The right of citizens to voice their disagreement with the government

Slander

Spoken lies that harm a person's reputation

Libel

Written lies that harm a person's reputation

Civil

Dealing with citizens

Incumbent

A politician who has already been elected to office

Caucus

A meeting of political party members to conduct party business

Absentee Ballot

A way for voters to cast a ballot without going to the polls on Election Day

Primary Election

An election where political parties select their candidates

General Election

The election where leaders are voted into office

Popular Vote

The actual number of votes a candidate receives

Apathy

A lack of interest

Referendum

A way for citizens to vote on state or local laws directly

Initiative

Citizens propose new laws or state constitutional amendments

Propaganda

Misleading messages designed to manipulate opinions

Platform

Party's principles, beliefs, and positions on issues

Interest Groups

People united to promote shared beliefs

Canvassing

Going door to door talking to potential voters

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Group that supports candidates by contributing money

Grassroots

A movement started by citizens, usually at the local level

Political Party

Association of voters with common beliefs on how government should be run

Third Party

A party that challenges the two major parties

Veto

The power to reject a decision or proposal by a legislative body

Pocket Veto

An indirect veto where the president lets a bill expire

Pigeonhole

To set a congressional bill aside without considering it

Filibuster

A tactic in the Senate to delay proceedings and prevent a vote

Cloture

A vote to end a filibuster in the Senate (requires 3/5 majority)

Bicameral

A legislature made up of two houses

Executive Order

A rule or directive issued by the president

Commerce

The activity of buying and selling on a large scale

Diplomat

An official who represents a country abroad

Impeach

To charge a public official with misconduct

Reprieve

Delay of punishment

Bureaucracy

A government system run by appointed officials

Burden of Proof

Obligation to provide evidence in a trial

Prosecution

Legal team bringing charges in a trial

Defendant

Person accused of a crime or being sued

Subpoena

A document ordering someone to appear in court

Grand Jury

Group that decides if there's enough evidence for charges

Petit Jury

Jury that decides verdict in a trial

Indictment

A formal charge by a grand jury

Acquittal

A vote of not guilty

Appeal

Request for a higher court to review a case

Remand

To send a case back to a lower court

Plea Bargain

Defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge

Delinquent

A young person who commits crimes

Preponderance of Evidence

Standard of proof in civil cases

Plaintiff

Person who files a lawsuit

Restitution

Compensation for loss or damage

Economics

The study of choices in a world of limited resources

Specialization

Focusing on goods or services you produce best

Globalization

Interdependence of world cultures through trade

Incentives

Motivation to act, work, or invest

Industry

Group of businesses making similar goods or services

Gross State Product (GSP)

Total value of goods/services produced within a state

Manufacturing

Transforming parts into finished goods

Information Technology (IT)

Use of systems for handling information

Agriculture

Growing crops and raising animals

Sole Proprietorship

A business owned by one person

Corporation

A business owned by many people, requires a state charter

Partnership

A business owned by two or more people