Chapter 6 Vocab - Gov't

Administration

the officials in the executive branch and their policies and principles

Bureaucracy

a large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization

Civilian

nonmilitary people

Executive Departments

often referred to as the cabinet departments, they are the traditional units of the federal administration

Domestic Affairs

all matters not directly connected to the realm of foreign affairs

Draft

compulsory military service

Independent Regulatory Agencies

agencies created by Congress designed to regulate important aspects of the nation's economy largely beyond the reach of presidential control

Independent Agencies

additional agencies created by Congress located outside the cabinet departments

Foreign Policy

a group of policies made up of all the stand and actions that a nation takes in every aspect of its relationships with other countries

Deterrence

the policy of making America and its allies so military strong that their very strength will discourage, or prevent relationships with other countries

Detente

French word meaning the "relaxation of tensions"

Cold War

the 40 or so year period where relations between the U.S and Soviet UNion were tense and often hostile; time of threats and military build-up

Ambassador

an official representative of the U.S appointed by the President to represent the nation in matters of diplomacy

Foreign aid

economic and military aid to other countries

Diplomatic Immunity

When ambassadors are not subject to the laws of the state to which they are accredited

Regional Security Alliances

treaties in which the U.S and other countries involved have agreed to take collective action to meet aggression in a particular part of the world

Terrorism

the use of violence to intimidate a government or society

Espionage

spying