Civics and Government Vocabulary Flashcards

30 vocabulary flashcards covering the U.S. system of government, ancient influences, features of a state, checks and balances, and judicial traditions.

State

A body of people living in a defined space with the power to make and enforce laws, governed by its own highest authority without checking with higher authority.

Population

The group of people who are members or citizens of a state, which can vary in size, economic status, education level, and cultural traditions.

Territory

The set geographic area in which a state's rule applies, bounded by borders that can change through war, negotiation, or purchase.

Sovereignty

The ability of a state to rule absolutely within its territory and independently establish its own foreign and domestic policies.

Government

The organization inside a state that controls its actions and policies by making laws, protecting the country, keeping order, and helping citizens.

Direct Democracy

A system of government originating in ancient Athens around 507 BCE where citizens participate directly in voting on laws and public decisions.

Republic

A system of representative democracy created in ancient Rome where citizens elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf.

Demokratia

The Greek word for democracy, combining 'demos' (people) and 'kratos' (power) to mean 'people power'.

Constitutionalism

The principle that government power is limited by a supreme written constitution that rulers must follow, protecting citizens even against majority demands.

Bill of Rights

The constitutional additions that guarantee individual freedoms—such as speech, religion, and trial by jury—to protect minority groups from majority tyranny.

Federalism

A system of government created by the U.S. Constitution that divides power between the central national government and state governments.

Checks and Balances

A system that gives each branch of government specific powers to block, limit, or oversee the actions of the other branches.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government consisting of Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives) responsible for writing and passing laws and controlling the budget.

Executive Branch

The branch of government led by the President that carries out, enforces, and administers federal laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government led by the Supreme Court that interprets laws and evaluates whether they follow the Constitution.

Presidential Veto

The executive power of the President to refuse to sign and reject a bill passed by Congress.

Veto Override

The legislative check where Congress passes a vetoed bill into law anyway by securing a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.

Impeachment

The formal process where the House of Representatives votes by simple majority to charge an official with misconduct, followed by a trial in the Senate requiring a two-thirds vote for removal.

Judicial Review

The power of the federal courts to review laws and executive actions and declare them unconstitutional if they violate the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

The constitutional distribution of government responsibilities across three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Autocracy

Which general category of government is characterized by a single individual holding all executive and sovereign power?

Monarchy and Oligarchy

Two main types of Autocracy

Monarchy

A king or queen rules the country.

Monarch

What a king or queen is called

Dictatorship

One leader has total control over the lives of people. They do not care what the people want.

Oligarchy

A small group of people has all the power.

Junta

A small group of military officers hold all the power after overthrowing the previous government, typically through a coup.

Theocracy

A government that says God is the highest leader. They use religious texts and laws to control people.

Anarchy

No one is in control in this form of government.It often leads to chaos and disorder, as multiple factions vie for power without a central authority.