American Government Unit 3 & 4 - Civil Rights and Liberties + Political Ideologies and Beliefs/Policy

Civil Liberties

Individual constitutional protections of freedoms from the government, including speech, press, assembly, petition, and religion.

Civil Rights

Equal rights and freedoms against somene based on race, gender, and sex

Due Process Clause

A guarantee given by the constitution explaining how the government cannot take away a person's life, liberty or property without a fair legal proceedings

Equal Protection Clause

States cannot discriminate against people and must treat eveyone equally within a hearing or court of law

Selective Incorporation

Allowing the Supreme Court to apply individual rights from the Bill of Rights to state governments depending on the case using the 14th Amenedment Process

Prior Restraint

The government prevent speech or expression before it ocurs, similar to censorship.

Clear and Present Danger Test

the government to limit free speech if the words used pose a clear and present danger of bringing about a serious evil that Congress has the power to prevent

Libel

False written statements that damage a person's reputation

Slander

Spoken false statemens that damame a person's reputation

Symbolic speech

Communicating an idea or speech through actions or symbols instead of words

Free Exercise Clause

Given by the First Amendment to practice religion freely without government intervention

Establishment Clause

Given by the First Amendment prohibits an national religion or favoring one over another

Miranda Rule

Requires that the 5th and 6th Amendment be read by the police before custody and questioning, or anything that they say be used against them in court

Exclusionary Rule

Prevents evidence illegally collected to be used in a trial

Double Jepoardy

Prevents someone from having a trial for the same reason twice

Search Warrant

A legal document issued by a judge that allows law enforcement to search an area

Probable Cause

Having enough facts and evidence to create reasonable beliefs about a crime in a cetain location

Seperate but Equal Doctrine

A legal principle that justified racial segregation in public facilities as long as the separate facilities provided to each race were supposedly equal in quality

de jure segregation

The law seperationg people by race

De facto segregation

Segregation based on living conditions or customs

Civil Disobedience

Publicly and nonviolently breaking a law you believe is unjust to protest it and inspire change, while accepting the legal punishment.

Afitmative Action

Policies designed to help historically disadvantaged races get equal opportunities in jobs and education to make up for past discrimination

Civil Rights Act of 1964

outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, religious, and national origin minorities, and women

Voting Rights Act of 1965

allowed fair voting for all races

Title 11

A federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives federal funding

1st Amendment

Guarentees the freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom or assembly, freedom of religion, and freedom to petition from the government

2nd Amendment

Right to bear and keep arms.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable search and seizures without a warrant

5th Amendment

The right to due process, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination

6th Amendment

The rights of people accused of crimes and the right to a speedy trial

8th Amendment

prohibits unfair and excessive bail and punishments

14th Amendment

Guarantees equal citizenship and protection for all citizens

Political Culture

Shared set of beliefs, values, and attitudes a society has about how politics and government should operate

Civic Duty

The responsibility of a citizen to participate in their government and community

Individualism

the responsibility of a citizen to participate in their government and community

Equality of Opportunity

The belief that all people share equal chances to succeed regardless of background, race, gender, or socioeconomic status

Limited Government

The government's power is restricted by a constitution or laws to protect individual rights from being infringed upon

Free Enterprise

An economic system where private individuals and businesses operate with minimal government intervention, driven by competition and the profit motive

Political Socialization

The process where people develop their political beliefs, values, and behaviors from influences like family, school, and the media

Public Opinion

distribution of the population's beliefs about politics and policy issues.

Poll

a survey of a sample of the public used to estimate opinions on issues or predict election results

Random Sample

a survey of a sample of the public used to estimate opinions on issues or predict election results

Sampling Error

the difference between a sample's results and the actual population's characteristics

Exit Polls

a survey conducted by interviewing voters as they leave polling places to get a snapshot of their voting behavior and opinions

Political Ideology

a set of beliefs and values that form a framework for how government should operate, shape policy, and respond to social and economic issues

Liberal

someone who believes in advancing social equality and civil rights through government intervention to promote social justice and welfare

Conservative

limited government, free-market capitalism, and the preservation of traditional institutions and values

Libertarian

a political philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty, minimal government intervention in both personal and economic matters, and free markets

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory that advocates for government intervention through spending and taxation to manage economic downturns by stimulating aggregate demand

Supply Side Economics

an economic theory that advocates for boosting economic growth by lowering taxes and reducing regulations to increase the supply of goods and services

Fiscal Policy

The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy

Monetary Policy

The Federal Reserve's management of the money supply and interest rates to influence the economy

Federal Reserve

the central bank of the United States, responsible for managing the nation's monetary policy to promote stable prices, maximum employment, and moderate long-term interest rates

Mandatory Spending

What the government must spend money on

Discretionary Spending

the portion of the federal budget that Congress and the President decide on each year during the annual appropriations process

Budget Defecit

when a government spends more money than it collects in revenue during a specific period, typically a fiscal year

National Debt

the total amount of money the federal government owes to its creditors

Surplus

an amount that remains when there is more of something than is needed or used

Entitlements

federal programs that guarantee a specific level of benefits to individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as age, income, or disability status