Foundations of U.S. Civics and Government

These vocabulary flashcards cover the essential terms, institutions, principles, and processes presented in the Civics and Government lecture notes, providing a comprehensive review for exam preparation.

Government

An institution that makes, interprets, and enforces laws to maintain order and provide security for a community.

Oligarchy

A system in which power is held by a small, usually elite group that rules in its own interests.

Monarchy

Government headed by a king, queen, emperor, or empress, with leadership typically passed through hereditary succession.

Constitutional Monarchy

A monarchy in which the ruler’s powers are limited by written or unwritten laws; modern rulers serve mainly ceremonial roles.

Dictatorship

Government in which a single leader holds absolute power over political, social, and economic life, unconstrained by laws.

Democracy

System in which citizens exercise governing power directly or through elected representatives.

Direct Democracy

Form of democracy where citizens participate firsthand in decision-making and lawmaking.

Representative Democracy

Democracy in which citizens elect officials to make decisions and create laws on their behalf.

Republic

A representative democracy whose head of state is an elected president rather than a hereditary monarch.

Parliamentary Democracy

Democracy where the executive (prime minister) is chosen by and accountable to the legislature (parliament).

Presidential Democracy

Democracy with a separately elected president who heads the executive branch independent of the legislature.

Natural Rights Philosophy

The Enlightenment idea that people inherently possess rights—such as life, liberty, and property—simply by being human.

John Locke

17th-century philosopher who argued government’s duty is to protect natural rights of life, liberty, and property.

Popular Sovereignty

Principle that governmental power comes from the consent of the governed.

Limited Government

Concept that governmental powers are restricted by law or constitution to protect individual rights.

Rule of Law

Doctrine that all people—even government officials—are bound by and accountable to the law.

Constitutionalism

Belief in a government of limited powers operating under a written or unwritten constitution.

Majority Rule

Decision-making principle where policies are decided by more than half of participants.

Minority Rights

Protections ensuring those with unpopular views or smaller numbers are not oppressed by the majority.

Federalism

Division of powers between a national (federal) government and state governments.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent concentration of power.

Checks and Balances

System allowing each branch of government to limit the powers of the others.

Legislative Branch

Branch (Congress) that makes federal laws; consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Executive Branch

Branch headed by the President that enforces laws and administers government.

Judicial Branch

Branch comprising courts that interprets laws and ensures they are constitutional.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers of Congress listed in Article I of the U.S. Constitution.

Elastic Clause

Constitutional clause allowing Congress to pass laws “necessary and proper” to carry out enumerated powers.

House of Representatives

Lower chamber of Congress; membership based on state population; members serve two-year terms.

Senate

Upper chamber of Congress; each state has two senators serving six-year terms.

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer of the House of Representatives, elected by its members—usually leader of the majority party.

President of the United States

Chief executive elected to four-year terms; serves as head of state, commander-in-chief, and chief diplomat.

Vice President

Second-highest executive officer who succeeds the President if needed and presides over the Senate.

Cabinet

Group of presidential advisors composed of the Vice President and heads of executive departments.

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Cabinet department that ensures food safety and oversees farming and forestry.

Department of Commerce

Cabinet department promoting economic growth, trade, and technological advancement.

Department of Defense (DoD)

Largest federal agency; manages the armed forces and oversees national defense.

Department of Education

Cabinet department that promotes student achievement and equal educational access.

Department of Energy

Cabinet department overseeing national energy policy and promoting energy security.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Cabinet department protecting public health and administering Medicare and Medicaid.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Cabinet department established in 2002 to safeguard U.S. domestic security and manage border protection.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Cabinet department promoting affordable housing and enforcing fair-housing laws.

Department of the Interior

Cabinet department managing federal lands, natural resources, and Native American affairs.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Cabinet department enforcing federal laws and ensuring public safety; headed by the Attorney General.

Department of Labor

Cabinet department protecting workers’ rights, wages, and workplace safety.

Department of State

Cabinet department directing U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic relations.

Department of Transportation (DOT)

Cabinet department overseeing the nation’s transportation systems and safety.

Department of the Treasury

Cabinet department managing federal finances, currency production, and economic policy.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Cabinet department providing health care and benefits to military veterans and their families.

Judicial Review

Power of courts, especially the Supreme Court, to decide whether laws or actions violate the Constitution.

Supreme Court of the United States

Highest federal court consisting of nine justices serving lifetime appointments.

Chief Justice

Presiding justice of the Supreme Court who leads the Court and oversees impeachment trials of presidents.

Amendment

A change or addition to the U.S. Constitution; 27 amendments have been ratified.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing fundamental civil liberties.

First Amendment

Amendment protecting freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Fourth Amendment

Amendment protecting against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Amendment ensuring due process, protection against self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

Sixth Amendment

Amendment guaranteeing a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury.

Twentieth Amendment

Amendment setting start and end dates for presidential and congressional terms.

Seventeenth Amendment

Amendment providing for direct election of U.S. senators by voters.

Civic Responsibilities

Duties citizens owe society, such as obeying laws, paying taxes, serving on juries, and voting.

Economic Rights

Rights to own property, operate a business, and enter contracts without unfair discrimination.

Electoral College

Body of electors chosen by voters that formally elects the President and Vice President.

Political Party

Organization of people with shared ideas seeking to influence government and win elections.

Democratic Party

Major U.S. party generally favoring a more active federal government and liberal policies.

Republican Party

Major U.S. party generally favoring limited federal government and conservative policies.

Majority Party

Political party holding more than half the seats in a legislative chamber.

Minority Party

Political party with fewer than half the seats in a legislative body.

Primary Election

Pre-election in which party members choose their candidate for the general election.

General Election

Election in which voters choose among party nominees to fill public offices.

Off-Year Election

Congressional election held midway between presidential elections.

Interest Group

Association of individuals sharing a common goal who seek to influence public policy.

Public Policy

Course of action adopted by government to address societal issues through laws, regulations, or programs.