Online Government Review Vocab

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1st real Constitution

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Articles of Confederation

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The Electoral College

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An electoral college is a set of electors who are selected to elect a candidate to a particular office. Often these represent different organizations or entities, with each organization or entity represented by a particular number of electors or with votes weighted in a particular way

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Ex post facto law

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a law that retroactively changes the legal consequences (or status) of actions committed or relationships that existed prior to the enactment of the law.

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Laissez Faire

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A policy of governmental non-interference in economic affairs

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Federal Government

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The system of government administered in a nation formed by the union or confederation of several independent states. A strong Central government

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Democracy

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a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

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Dictatorship

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A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual, the dictator, without hereditary ascension

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Autocracy

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An autocracy is a form of government in which the political power is held by a self-appointed ruler

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Oligarchy

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An oligarchy is a form of government in which power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society distinguished by royal, wealth, intellectual, family, military, or religious hegemony

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The Extradition Clause

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refers to a provision in Article IV, Section 2, Clause 2, provides for the extradition of a criminal back to the state where he or she has committed a crime.

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Slander

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words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another

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Libel

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a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a person or group

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Due Process Clause

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the process that is due, is the principle that the government must respect all of the legal rights of a citizen

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Double Jeopardy

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Being tried for the same crime twice

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Census

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A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population

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Symbolic Speech

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Symbolic speech is a legal term used to describe actions that purposefully and discernibly convey a particular message or statement to those viewing it

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Reapportionment

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The act of reapportioning; a second or subsequent apportionment

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Conservatives

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a political attitude and philosophy which advocates institutions and traditional practices that have developed organically within a nation over a period of time, lesser government involvement

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Liberals

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is a broad political and philosophical mindset favoring individual liberty, more government involvement

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Moderates

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Those who fall between the liberals and conservatives

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Lobbyists

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someone who is employed to persuade legislators to vote for legislation that favors the lobbyist's employer

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Constituents

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a member of a constituency; a citizen who is represented in a government by officials for whom he or she votes

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Incumbents

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One who holds a seat in office

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Majority decision

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The thoughts behind the majority of the judges on a case, why they think the defendant is either guilty or innocent

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Dissenting opinion

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The opinion of the judges who were not part of the majority.

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Filibuster

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a legislator who gives long speeches in an effort to delay or obstruct legislation that he (or she) opposes

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President of the Senate

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A senator selected by the majority party to preside over Senate proceedings

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Bureaucracy

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a large, complex administrative structure. Such structures exist in organizations such as governments and businesses. The executive branch of the federal government has a complex bureaucracy, with a hierarchy of bureaus and agencies.

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National debt

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The amount of money that the nation owes its debtors.

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Defendant

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The person/group which has a law suit filled against them

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Grand Jury

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a jury to inquire into accusations of crime and to evaluate the grounds for indictments

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Petit Jury

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a jury of 12 to determine the facts and decide the issue in civil or criminal proceedings

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Spoils System

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an informal practice where a political party, after winning an election, gives government jobs to its voters as a reward for working toward victory

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Misdemeanor

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A minor infraction that is usually settled with a small fine

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Felony

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A serious criminal offense that is punishable by jail time, large fines, and even death

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Pardon

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a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense

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Parole

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a conditional release from imprisonment that entitles the person to serve the remainder of the sentence outside the prison as long as the terms of release are complied with

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Bail

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Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial

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Amnesty

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a period during which offenders are exempt from punishment

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Subpoena

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A writ requiring someone to appear in court to give testimony

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Indictment

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a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense

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Veto Power

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The power of the president to veto a bill that is passed by congress

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Electoral Votes

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The votes cast by the electoral college, the amount that each state is given

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Electoral college

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The elected body of voters that vote for a larger population in an election

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Winner takes all

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The election format where the winner of a vote wins the seat completely

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Presidential Succession Act

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establishes the line of succession to the powers and duties of the office of President of the United States

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Mass media

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e communications media, especially television, radio, and newspapers, that reach the mass of the people

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Fiscal Year

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An accounting period of 12 months

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Sedition

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an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government

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Shield Law

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A "shield law" is legislation designed to provide a news reporter with the right to refuse to testify