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176 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Government
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The institutions through which a State maintains social order, provides public services and enforces rules for its citizens.
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Confederate Government
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A union of states with most of the power resting with the state governments.
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Federal Government
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The national level of government for the United States.
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Unitary Government
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A system of government that gives all key powers to the national or central government.
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Authoritarian
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A government that requires absolute obedience to the government and denies personal freedom.
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Communism
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A political and economic system characterized by state ownership of property and industry with the intent to provide for the needs of all citizens equally. Under communism, a single authoritarian party holds all power.
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Dictatorship
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A country led by an authoritarian government.
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Monarchy
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A political system led by a king, queen or emperor. A monarchy is usually authoritarian.
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Oligarchy
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A system of government in which a small group holds most or all of the power.
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Totalitarian
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A form of Authoritarian government where the government controls all aspects of citizens lives and there are few personal rights.
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Democracy
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A form of government in which political control is exercised by all the people, either directly or through their elected representatives.
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Parliamentary system
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One of the two types of democratic governing systems (the other being presidential government), having an elected body of representatives; a government or Council of Ministers (cabinet) with a prime minister approved by the majority of the members of the parliament; a maximum period between elections; and a head of state (a monarch or president), who must, if only ceremonially, assent to bills passed by the parliament before they become effective.
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Presidential system
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One of two types of democratic governing systems (the other being parliamentary government), in which the position and powers of both chief of state and head of government are vested in a president whose election, duties, and powers are constitutionally independent of the legislature
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Declaration of Independence
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A document written by American revolutionaries which explained their ideas on the rights of men and the reason why the American colonies were separating from England.
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Articles of Confederation
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First constitution of the United States (1781). The Articles of Confederation created a weak national government and was replaced in 1789 by the Constitution of the United States.
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Dissent
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To disagree or offer a different opinion
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Expressed Powers
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Powers granted by the Constitution specifically to one level or branch of government.
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Preamble
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A statement at the beginning of the Constitution that explains the purposes and goals of government
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Tranquility
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The absence of significant civil discontent and unrest
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Majority Rule
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: A system where most or all decisions are made based on the will of more than half of the population.
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Popular Sovereignty
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The right of the people to govern themselves, either directly or through representatives.
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Checks and Balances
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Constitutional design that authorizes each branch of government to share powers with the other branches and thereby “check” their activities. For example, the president may veto legislation passed by congress; the Senate must confirm major executive appointments; and the courts may declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.
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Concurrent Power
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A power held by two or more levels of government. Example, the power to make laws.
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Exclusive Powers
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Powers granted by the Constitution to only one level or branch of government.
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Federalism
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A system of government where power is divided between the national government and state governments
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Implied Powers
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Powers that the government requires in order to carry out the expressed powers of the Constitution. These powers are not directly written in the Constitution.
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Judicial Review
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A doctrine that permits the Federal courts to declare unconstitutional acts of the Congress, President and state governments. The precedent for Judicial Review was established in the 1803 case of Marbury v. Madison
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Representative Democracy
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A form of democracy in which people elect representatives and give them the responsibility and power to make laws and conduct government.
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Rule of Law
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The principle in which the law applies to government officials as much as to ordinary citizens.
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Supremacy
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Holding the greatest power or authority
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Bill of Rights
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A formal summary of rights and liberties guaranteed to all citizens
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Civil Liberty
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Rights that are legally guaranteed to all citizens.
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Ex Post Facto Law
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: A law that makes a crime of an act that was legal when it was committed. Ex Post Facto Laws are unconstitutional.
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Petition
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A written appeal intended to bring about a change.
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Public Demonstration
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A public display intended to either support or oppose a particular issue or policy.
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Search and Seizure
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The power of law enforcement officials to legally conduct a search of premises and collect evidence involved in the commission of a crime. Legal search and seizure is based on just cause and often requires a search warrant
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Congress
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The legislature of the United States government
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Conservative
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A person who tends to favor traditional ideas and values
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Maryland Senate
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The upper house of the Maryland General Assembly.
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Maryland General Assembly
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The legislature of the Maryland government
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Maryland House of Delegates
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The lower house of the Maryland General Assembly
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Policy
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A plan or course of action followed by political leaders and/or the government.
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U.S. House of Representatives
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The lower house of the United States Congress.
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Assembly
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A group of people who meet for the purpose of making laws and governing over a particular area
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U.S. Senate
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The upper house of the United States Congress
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Assembly
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A group of people who meet for the purpose of making laws and governing over a particular area.
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Bicameral
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A legislature that is divided into two houses or chambers
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Constituent
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A person that is represented by a member of the U.S. Congress, Maryland General Assembly or other legislative body
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Impeachment
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Charging a public official with misconduct in office.
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Abolish
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To do away with a law
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Levy
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The act or process of collecting taxes. (Ex. The congress can levy [collect] taxes.)
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Taxes
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Money that citizens and businesses pay to support the activities of the government.
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Committee
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Commission, council or any other working group established by the legislature and composed wholly or partly of legislators for the purpose of conducting legislative business.
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Conference Committee
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A committee consisting of members of both houses to work out their differences when the 2 houses pass different versions of the same bill.
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Legislation
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A law enacted by a legislative body; the act of making or enacting laws.
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Override of Veto
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To pass a bill over the Presidents veto with a 2/3 vote of both house of Congress.
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Bill
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A proposed law that is submitted to a legislature for approval.
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Amendment
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A change to the Constitution
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Ratification
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: To approve.
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Repeal
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To remove a law or Constitutional amendment
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Integration
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The legal process of allowing people of different races, religions and ethnic backgrounds to attend the same schools and use the same public facilities.
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Segregation
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The separation of groups of people based on race or some other distinguishing characteristic.
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Affirmative Action
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Laws and actions that are taken in order to provide equal opportunities for minorities and women. Examples are college admission and employment.
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Civil Disobedience
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To intentionally violate a law or policy of the government in order to demonstrate that it is unjust.
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Civil Rights
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Protections and privileges given to all United States Citizens by the Constitution and Bill of Rights
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Ethnicity
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Belonging to a particular religious, racial, national or cultural group
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Discrimination
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To deprive individuals and groups of rights, liberties and opportunities due to their race, gender, religion or some other distinguishing feature.
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Gender
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The label that distinguishes between male and female
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Immigration
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When individuals or groups leave their country and move to the United States in order to establish permanent residency
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Region
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An area with one or more common characteristics or feature that makes it different from surrounding areas.
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Entitlements
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Certain economic benefits that all American citizens are entitled to receive under certain circumstances. Examples are Social Security and Medicare.
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Medicaid
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A government program that provides healthcare for citizens who cannot afford to pay for insurance or healthcare
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Medicare
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A government program that provides healthcare for the elderly.
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Social Security
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A Federal entitlement program designed to provide Americans with unemployment benefits, assistance to children who have lost a parent and old age pensions for the elderly
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Censorship
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The act or policy of banning literature, film, music, etc.
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Decency
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Conforming to standards of behavior that are generally recognized as morally acceptable.
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Equity
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Treating all people fairly and impartially regardless of race, gender,
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Zoning
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Regulations that control the use of land within a jurisdiction
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Smart Growth
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: Refers to government policies designed to promote business and residential development without damaging the environment or creating urban sprawl.
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Urban Sprawl
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The often unplanned or unregulated spread of businesses and residences from an urban center to the surrounding areas
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Initiative
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A method by which citizens propose laws to a legislature
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Referendum
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A special election called to decide an issue or approve a law.
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Cabinet
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A group of people who are in charge of the executive departments and help the President make decisions and policy.
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Regulatory Agency
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An agency of government that oversees some aspect of society in order to protect the public good
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Appointment
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The act of assigning or recommending a person for a position or office
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Electoral College
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A group of people chosen to elect the President of the Untied States.
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Nominate
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To propose or recommend a person to hold an office.
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Primary Election
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An election in which voters nominate a political candidate to run in a general election.
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Ambassador
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A person who represent a nation in diplomatic affairs.
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Diplomacy
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The act of negotiating alliances, treaties and agreements between nations.
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Diplomat
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A person who negotiates alliances, treaties and agreements between nations.
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Pardon
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To release a person from legal punishment.
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Reprieve
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The postponement of legal punishment
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Veto
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A refusal by the Executive (President, Governor, etc.) to approve a bill.
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Executive Order
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An order given by the President that has the force of law
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Alliance
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A formal agreement between two or more nations united for a common cause.
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Domestic
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Related to affairs occurring inside the United States.
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Embargo
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An act or policy that prohibits trade with a nation in order to change the behavior of that nation
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Foreign
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Related to affairs occurring outside the United States
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Treaty
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A formal agreement between two or more countries
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Arms
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Weapons, such as bombs and military ships and planes
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Economic Sanctions
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Economic penalties used to change the behavior of a particular nation.
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Free Trade
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Trade between two or more countries where each country agrees to eliminate trade restrictions and tariffs.
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Humanitarian
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Dedicated to promoting human rights and welfare
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Jurisdiction
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The authority of a court to rule on certain cases.
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Precedent
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A model court case or political action on which later decisions are based.
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Trial
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A legal proceeding where a civil or criminal case is argued and decided.
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Contract
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An agreement between two or more parties (a party can be a person, group, business, government, etc.).
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Defendant
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A person who is charged with a criminal act or civil wrong-doing.
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Petit Jury
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A trial jury, usually consisting of 6 to 12 people, that considers evidence at a trial and decides if a defendant is innocent or guilty.
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Plaintiff
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A person who brings charges in court
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Preponderance of the Evidence
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Carefully studying all evidence before determining a defendant’s innocence or guilt.
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Tort
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A wrongful act for which an injured person has the right to sue.
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Bail
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Money paid by an accused person in exchange for his/her release from jail as a guarantee that he/she will return for trial.
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Civil Law
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Body of law that deals with the private rights of individuals, as distinguished from criminal law.
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Criminal Law
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Body of law that deals with disputes or actions involving criminal penalties. It regulates the conduct of individuals, defines crimes, and provides punishment for criminal acts
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Felony
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A major crime, such as murder, bank robbery or bribery.
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Grand Jury
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A group that hears charges against a suspect and decides whether or not there is sufficient evidence to bring the person to trial.
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Habeas Corpus
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A legal document that requires a person to appear before a court or judge.
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Indictment
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A formal charge by a grand jury.
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Misdemeanor
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A minor crime that is usually punishable by a fine or less than one year in jail.
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Plea Bargain
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The process by which a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser crime than the one they are charged with in order to receive a lesser sentence.
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Plea
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A formal statement of innocence or guilt
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Presumption of Innocence
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In the United States a person is considered innocent until proven guilty is a court of law.
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Probable Cause
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A reasonable basis upon which to believe a person is linked to a crime.
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Prosecutor
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A person who brings evidence against a defendant with the goal of winning a conviction
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Reasonable Doubt
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Sufficient cause to believe that a defendant might not have committed a crime.
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Search Warrant
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A legal document issued by a judge giving law enforcement officials permission to conduct a search.
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Subpoena
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A legal order requiring a person to provide requested documents or appear in court or before a government agency
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οὔπω
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Not Yet
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Due Process of Law
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The right of every citizen to be protected against arbitrary action by the government.
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Eminent Domain
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The right of the government to take private property for public use.
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Interest Group
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An organized body of individuals who share some goals and try to influence public policy to meet these
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Conservative
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A person who tends to favor traditional ideas and values
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Liberal
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A person who tends to favor modern ideas and promotes social reforms.
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Political Party
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A political group that seeks to elect government officials in order to advance their political ideas
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Politics
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The effort to control or influence the decisions and policies of the government.
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Third Party
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A political party other than the Democratic and Republican parties
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Grass Roots Organization:
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A political organization that works to influence people at the local level.
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Lobbyist
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a person who represents the interests of an organization or industry to elected officials.
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Political Action Committee (PAC):
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An organization formed in order to raise money and provide financial support for political candidates
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Libel
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False written or published statements intended to damage a person’s reputation.
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Media
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The different means of communicating news and information to large audiences. Examples are television and radio news, newspapers and news magazines.
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Opinion Poll
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A survey taken among a particular demographic or interest group in order to determine how they feel about a certain issue, candidate or politician
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Press
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Referring to those individuals and organizations that report the news in publications, on television and radio and through official media websites (Ex. MSNBC).
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Slander
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False speech intended to damage a person’s reputation
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Census
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An official counting of population
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Demographics
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Related to a particular population group, such as the elderly.
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Gerrymandering
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To draw an election district’s boundaries to purposely gain an advantage in an election.
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Reapportionment
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The process of reassigning representation to a particular area based on population shifts.
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Redistricting
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To set up new district lines after reapportionment has taken place.
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Initiative
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A method by which citizens propose laws to a legislature.
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Recall
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When citizens vote at the polls to remove an elected official from office.
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Capital
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The means of production – money, factories and equipment
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Currency
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Money
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Exports
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Goods being sent to other countries for sale.
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Import
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Goods being brought into a country for purchase
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Mixed Economy
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An economic system which has elements of market and command economies.
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Traditional Economy
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A system wherein economic decisions that people and groups make to answer the basic economic questions of "what", "for whom" and "how" generally repeat the decisions made at an earlier time or by an earlier generation.
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Market Economy
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A system of economic decision making in which consumers, producers and workers interact in markets through the choices they make in order to set prices and answer the basic economic questions of what, how and for whom
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Command Economy
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An economic system in which economic decisions made to answer the basic economic questions of "what", "how", and "for whom" are made by a central authority, such as a government planning agency.
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Opportunity Cost
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Represents all the other opportunities that are given up when an economic decision is made.
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Scarcity
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The situation that exists because society does not have enough resources to meet all of its wants and needs
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Government Revenue
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The money that the government collects from taxes and other sources.
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National Debt
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The total amount of money the government owes.
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Socio-Economic Goals
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Goals that relate to economics and guide individuals and societies in making decisions about where and for who resources should be spent.
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Federal Reserve
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The Federal Reserve is an independent agency whose main job is to preserve a sound banking system and a healthy economy. To accomplish its mission the Federal Reserve regulates financial institutions and adjusts interest rates in order to maintain a stable economy
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Fiscal Policy
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The government's use of spending and taxation to influence the economy
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Inflation
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An increase in the availability of money, which in turn cause prices to rise.
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Monetary Policy
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Policy designed to affect the amount of money available in the economy and how much it costs to borrow money (interest rates) in order to help the economy grow, keep prices stable and keep employment at a high level. In the United States, monetary policy is the responsibility of the Federal Reserve System.
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Tariffs
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A tax placed on imports to increase their price in domestic markets. Tariffs are passed to protect American businesses and make domestic products more attractive to American consumers.
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Consumer Price Index
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A list of prices used to measure the general cost of goods and services in the country.
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Gross Domestic Product
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The sum of all goods and services produced in a nation in one year.
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Trade
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To engage in the exchange, purchase or sale of goods.
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Globalization
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The increasing integration of economies and societies around the world through international trade and the flow of capital, ideas and people, the transfer of culture and technology, and the development of regulations that multiple nations agree to follow.
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Outsourcing
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Subcontracting the design or manufacturing of a product out to a third-party company often located in another country where labor or materials costs are less expensive.
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