Civil Liberties

Democracy

Government based upon the values of equality, freedom and voting.

Republic

Government in which power is determined through elections.

Federalism

Sharing power amongst states and a national government.

Participatory Democracy

Citizens decide directly on policy and politicians implement.

Pluralist Democracy

No one group dominates politics and organized groups compete.

Elite Democracy

Small number of wealthy, well-educated individuals influence political decision-making.

Constitution

A rulebook for government power and procedures.

Preamble

The intro to the Constitution explaining 6 reasons for government (union, justice, tranquility, defense, general welfare, liberty).

Reserved Powers

Powers granted specifically to states or the people in the Bill of Rights.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted specifically to US Congress by The Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers that are unwritten and not specifically stated in the Constitution.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are granted to both the states and the national government.

Delegate Powers

Powers explicitly granted to the Federal government by the US Constitution.

Equal Protection Clause

Constitutional phrase added by the 14th amendment that expands civil liberty protections by race and gender.

Elastic Clause

Constitutional phrase that expands the powers of the Federal Government to do what is 'necessary & proper'.

Federalist #10

Argues republics are better than direct democracies and protect minorities.

Brutus #1

Argues the federal government will abuse power and a Bill of Rights is needed.

Federalist #70

Argues in favor of the unitary executive (President) to ensure accountability.

Federalist #51

Argues checks & balances prevent branches of government from becoming too powerful.

Bicameral Legislature

A Congress which makes laws composed of two houses.

Senate

House of Congress in which each state has two Senators.

House of Representatives

House of Congress, seats are awarded by state population.

Executive Branch

Lead executive & managerial state departments that enforce the law.

Executive Order

Directive issued by the president to the Executive Branch departments.

Judicial Branch

Courts that interpret and make rulings on the law.

Civics

The rights and responsibilities of citizens and their interaction with government.

Articles of Confederation

First American government which was intentionally weak with little power.

Federalists

Founding fathers that wanted The Constitution & a strong national government.

Filibuster

Prolonged speech that blocks voting on a bill in Congress.

Habeas Corpus

Due process rights require an explanation for arrest or imprisonment.

Bill of Attainder

You cannot be punished without a trial.

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments (changes) to Constitution that limits government power.

Double Jeopardy

Prevents an accused person from being tried again for the same crime.

Selective Incorporation

States themselves cannot decide if Bill of Rights applies to them.

Title IX

Part of the 1972 education-related additions to the Civil Rights Act that ban gender discrimination.

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional phrase that allows federal law to often supersede state law.