Government and Political Science Vocabulary

Flashcards defining core concepts, governance structures, and historical documents in Civics and Political Science.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, establishing a weak central government and a loose alliance of sovereign states.

Confederation

A union or alliance of independent states that delegate specific limited powers to a central authority while retaining their individual sovereignty.

Constitution

A fundamental system of laws and principles that outlines the structure, powers, and limits of a government.

Democracy

A system of government in which political power is held by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.

Dictatorship

A form of government where absolute power and authority are concentrated in a single leader or small group, unconstrained by law or constitutional limits.

Direct democracy

A form of government where citizens participate directly in decision-making and legislation rather than electing representatives.

Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, Rousseau)

Key political philosophers whose ideas regarding natural rights, the social contract, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty influenced modern democratic systems.

Executive powers

The authority and duties vested in the executive branch to enforce, execute, and administer laws.

Federal Government

A system of national government that shares sovereignty and governing authority with state or regional political units.

Judicial powers

The authority vested in courts to interpret laws, settle legal disputes, and determine the constitutionality of legislative and executive acts.

Legislative powers

The authority vested in a legislative body to make, enact, amend, and repeal laws.

Magna carta

A 1215 English charter that limited the power of the monarchy and established the principle that everyone, including the sovereign, is subject to the law.

Rule of law

The principle that all people, institutions, and leaders are subject to and accountable under laws that are fairly applied and enforced.

state

A defined political entity with a permanent population, a defined territory, a sovereign government, and the capacity to enforce laws.