Civics EOC Vocab

civics

The study of the rights and duties of citizenship.

citizen

A legally recognized subject or national of a state.

government

The governing body of a nation, state, or community.

immigrants

Individuals who move to a new country with the intention of settling there.

aliens

Non-citizens who reside in a country.

natural-born

Someone who is a citizen from birth, as opposed to having been naturalized.

naturalization

The legal process by which a foreign citizen becomes a citizen of a new country.

refugees

Individuals who flee their home country to escape war, persecution, or other dangers.

census

An official count or survey of a population.

demographics

Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.

migration

The movement of people from one place to another.

values

The principles and beliefs that guide behavior and choices.

monarch

A sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor.

dictator

A ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained power by force.

democracy

A system of government in which the people exercise power, typically through elected representatives.

direct democracy

A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly.

representative democracy

A type of democracy in which elected officials represent a group of people.

republic

A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives.

constitution

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state is governed.

human rights

Basic rights and freedoms that belong to all people.

confederation

A union of political units for the purpose of collective action.

sovereignty

The ability of a state to govern itself without outside interference.

Parliament

The highest legislative authority in a country.

federalism

The distribution of power between a central authority and constituent political units.

compromise

A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions.

ratification

Formal approval of an agreement or treaty.

Federalists

Supporters of the proposed Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the proposed Constitution who favored states' rights.

traditional

Existing in or as part of a tradition; long-established.

popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Preamble

An introductory statement, especially the introduction to a formal document.

limited government

A political system restricted in its powers by a constitution.

majority rule

The principle that the greater number should exercise greater power.

delegated powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

reserved powers

Powers that are not expressly granted to the federal government are reserved for the states.

concurrent powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

legislative branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws.

executive branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws.

judicial branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws.

checks and balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

veto

The power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress.

judicial review

The power of courts to decide whether a law is constitutional.

amendment

A change or addition to a legal document or legislation.

repeal

The action of revoking or annulling a law.

cabinet

A body of advisers to the president, consisting of the heads of the executive departments.

federal

Relating to the central government as opposed to local governments.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights.

separation of church and state

The principle that government must maintain an attitude of neutrality toward religion.

self-incrimination

The act of implicating oneself in a crime.

due process of law

Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.

eminent domain

The right of a government to take private property for public use.

bail

Temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, often with a sum of money lodged to guarantee appearance.

civil rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

poll tax

A tax levied on voters as a prerequisite for voting.

draft

A law requiring people of a certain age to serve in the military.

rationed

Controlled distribution of scarce resources.

jury duty

The obligation of citizens to serve on a jury when called.

principles

Fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief.

bicameral legislature

A legislature with two houses.

apportioned

Distributed in a way that is proportional.

gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party.

immunity

Exemption from legal responsibility or prosecution.

expulsion

The act of being forced to leave an organization or group.

censure

A formal statement of disapproval.

sessions

Regular meetings of a legislative body.

caucuses

Meetings of members of a political party to decide on policies or select candidates.

president pro tempore

A senator who presides over the Senate in the absence of the vice president.

whip

A party official responsible for coordinating party members' actions.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but suggested by its language.

elastic clause

The provision in the Constitution that allows Congress to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.

impeach

To charge a public official with misconduct in office.

treason

Breach of allegiance to one's country.

bill

A draft of a proposed law.

appropriation bill

A bill that authorizes the spending of government funds.

act

A law passed by a legislative body.

filibuster

A tactic used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

pocket veto

A type of veto that occurs when the president does not sign a bill within ten days.

presidential succession

The order in which officials replace the president if the president is unable to perform their duties.

State of the Union Address

An annual speech by the president to Congress outlining the administration's goals.

foreign policy

A government's strategy in dealing with other nations.

diplomacy

The practice of conducting negotiations between countries.

treaties

Formal agreements between countries.

pardon

The action of forgiving or excusing a crime.

ambassadors

Official representatives of a country sent to another country.

visas

Documents that allow a foreign national to enter, stay, or leave a country.

bureaucracy

A system of government in which most of the decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

role

The function of a person or thing in a particular situation.

neutral

Not taking sides in a conflict or dispute.

distinct

Recognizably different in nature from something else.

established

Set up on a firm or permanent basis.

crime

An act that is against the law.

criminal law

The body of law that pertains to crime and punishment.

civil law

The system of law concerned with the rights of individuals.

common law

Law derived from custom and judicial precedent.

precedent

An example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time.

constitutional law

Law that involves the interpretation and application of the Constitution.

appeal

A request made to a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court.