all gov vocab

vocab

citizen

a person who is a legal member of a nation, country, or self-governing community.

naturalized citizen

a legal permanent resident who passes a test to show they understand the history and constitution of the US.

civic responsibility

these are the obligations that each person has to society, such as voting, obeying the laws, and paying taxes

political rights

allow citizens to participate in the political process: due process of law, serve on juries, and seek and hold public office.

personal responsibility

obligations that each person assumes individually, accepting consequences for actions, and behaving civilly.

common good

the good of the community as a whole.

individual/personal rights

these are specific rights that belong to each person, such as those listed in the bill of rights rather than general rights

refugee

people who must flee from danger in their native countries and find residence outside their homeland

resident alien

people who have immigrated to the United States to establish permanent but cannot vote or run for office

non-resident alien

aliens who expect to stay in a foreign country for a short, specific time

illegal alien

individuals who enter the United States without legal permission or who enter as tourists and stay longer than their tourist status allows

economic rights

rights needed to earn a living, acquire and transfer property, or produce goods and services.

jus soli

being born on American soil

jus sanguine

being born of American parents

naturalization

a legal process to obtain citizenship

immigrant

a person coming to the United States intending to become a citizen.

Government

Political organizations through which scarcity decisions and public policies are made and enforced.

Democracy

Type of government where power is held by the people and exercised through them (voting).

Republic

Where people are elected by the citizens to speak or act on their behalf.

Scarcity

trying to fulfil unlimited needs and resources with limited resources.

Politics

The way in which people resolve social conflict.

Social conflict

the idea that people in a society disagree over beliefs, values, and what the society’s priorities should be.

Power

the ability to do something.

Authority

The right to make decisions. Having power or influence over people or groups.

Nation

people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory.

Sovereignty

the power and authority to rule oneself; governments must have this

Population

group of people living within an area

territory

land on which population lives.

Social Contract

an implicit (understood) agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits