WGU - C963 Section 1

Credit Original Author: DeQuann G. (Study Guide)

Natural Rights

The rights to life, liberty, and property believed to be given by God and cannot be taken away by the government.

State of Nature

The concept of living without government or societal rules, theorizing how people lived before organized societies.

Due Process

The requirement for fair procedures by the government that apply equally to all individuals.

Chamber

One of the two houses of a legislature; in the U.S., these are the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Social Contract

An agreement between citizens and their government where citizens consent to be governed in exchange for protection of their natural rights.

Social Contract Theory

The idea that society is created by the people rather than being a natural occurrence.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy where individuals participate directly in government decision-making rather than through representatives.

Enlightenment

A historical period in Western Europe that influenced ideas about natural rights.

Political Spectrum

A classification of political ideologies, primarily consisting of liberalism on the left and conservatism on the right.

Declaration of Independence

The document authored by Thomas Jefferson that declared the United States' independence and listed natural rights and grievances against the British king.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that enumerate citizens' civil liberties and rights.

Sovereignty

The principle that a government has authority over its own political affairs within its geographical boundaries.

Bicameral Legislature

A lawmaking body consisting of two separate chambers, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Legislature

The official body responsible for making laws in a government.

Habeas Corpus

The right for a jailed citizen to appear before a judge to hear about criminal charges, preventing imprisonment without due process.

Enumerated Rights

Powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution to regulate commerce, raise armies, declare war, and conduct foreign affairs.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, establishing a weak national government with a unicameral Congress.

Delegates

Individuals authorized to make decisions on behalf of a group.

Powers under the Articles of Confederation

Powers including borrowing money, declaring war, making treaties, and regulating trade with Native Americans.

Popular Vote

The outcome of an election where all qualified voters participate, and the winner is determined by the most individual votes.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for a unicameral legislature where each state would have one vote.

Unicameral Legislature

A lawmaking body with only one chamber.

Lower Chamber

The larger chamber in a bicameral legislature, which is the House of Representatives in the U.S.

Upper Chamber

The smaller chamber in a bicameral legislature, which is the Senate in the U.S.

Great Compromise

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with population-based representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement counting 60% of enslaved individuals for taxation and representation purposes.

Institution of Slavery

The practice of enslaving individuals, depriving them of liberty and subjecting them to inhumane conditions.

Veto

The president's power to reject a law passed by Congress.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each government branch to limit the powers of the others.

Separation of Powers

The division of government powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Federal System

A government structure where power is divided between state and national governments.

Reserved Powers

Powers not prohibited by the Constitution or delegated to the national government, reserved for the states.

Political Ideologies

Consistent philosophies regarding government structure and purpose, including liberalism and conservatism.

Ratification

The official approval of a treaty or agreement, making it legally valid.

Republic

A government system where political power is held by the people through elected representatives.

Levy

To demand payment of a tax.

The Federalist Papers

A series of essays advocating for the ratification of the Constitution, written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay.

Faction

A group of individuals with similar interests competing for influence, characteristic of interest groups.

Interpretation

The act of explaining or deciding the meaning of something.

Bureaucracy

The complex organization of government departments and agencies that implement laws and programs.

Impeachment

The process for removing government officials suspected of misconduct, requiring a majority vote in the House and two-thirds in the Senate.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the president to government agencies, often changing existing laws.

Bill of Rights

the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791; they list citizens' civil liberties and civil rights

Congress

Checks on Executive Branch:

• They can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

• Treaties must be approved by a two-thirds vote in the Senate.

• They control of funding activities of the executive branch.

• Presidential nominees must be approved by the Senate.

• Can declare war.

• The House can impeach the president or vice president, and the Senate can remove them by a two-thirds vote.

Judiciary

Checks on Executive Branch:

• They can overturn actions of the president with judicial review if the actions violate the Constitution.

• They serve during good behavior to maintain the independence of the judiciary.

President

Checks on Congress:

• They can veto legislation.

• They can use executive agreements.

• They can use executive orders.

• They negotiate treaties (not Congress).

Judiciary

Checks on Congress:

• They can overturn acts of Congress as unconstitutional if they violate the law.

• They can influence laws by interpretation.

• They serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary.

President

Checks on Judiciary:

• They can nominate judges.

• They have the power of pardon.

Congress

By Congress:

• The Senate must approve judges and justices.

• They control jurisdiction of the courts.

• They decide the size of the Supreme Court.

• The House can impeach judges, and the Senate can remove them by a two-thirds vote.