Political Concepts/Definitions

Question 1

Autocracy/Autocrat

Answer 1

A form of government in which one person has absolute power.
A ruler with absolute power

Question 2

Authoritarianism

Answer 2

A form of government in which the rulers have unlimited power and do not allow people to participate in decision-making.

Question 3

Autonomy

Answer 3

The right or condition of self-government.

Question 4

Bipartisan

Answer 4

Involving members of two political parties, especially in a cooperative effort.

Question 5

Bill

Answer 5

A proposed law that is under consideration by a legislative body.

Question 6

Bolshevism

Question 7

Bureaucracy

Answer 7

A system of government in which many officials and organizations exercise power.

Question 8

Campaign

Answer 8

A series of activities undertaken to win an election or promote a cause.

Question 9

Capital punishment

Answer 9

The punishment of death for a crime.

Question 10

Capitalism

Answer 10

An economic and political system based on private ownership of the production and the creation of goods and services for profit.

Question 11

Caucus

Answer 11

A meeting of party members to select delegates to a party convention or to decide on a party platform.

Question 12

Centralization

Answer 12

The concentration of power or decision-making in a central authority or location.

Question 13

Civil disobedience

Answer 13

The refusal to obey laws or comply with authority as a peaceful protest.

Question 14

Civil society

Answer 14

The network of organizations, institutions, and individuals outside the government that promotes the public good.

Question 15

Coalition

Answer 15

A temporary alliance of political parties or interest groups for a specific purpose.

Question 16

Democracy

Answer 16

A form of government in which the people can choose their leaders and decide the country’s direction.

Question 17

Dictatorship

Answer 17

A form of government in that one person has absolute power.

Question 18

Direct democracy

Answer 18

A form of democracy in which the people directly participate in decision-making, typically through voting on specific issues.

Question 19

Discrimination

Answer 19

The unequal treatment of individuals or groups based on race, gender, religion, or other characteristics.

Question 20

Democratic socialism

Answer 20

political philosophy that combines elements of socialism and democracy with a focus on worker ownership and control of the means of production.

Question 21

Dual federalism

Answer 21

A system of government in which power is divided between the national and state governments.

Question 22

Electorate

Answer 22

The group of people eligible to vote in an election.

Question 23

Embargo

Answer 23

A ban on trade with a specific country or group of countries.

Question 24

Enlightenment

Answer 24

A movement in the 18th century that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights.

Question 25

Fascism

Answer 25

A political ideology characterized by authoritarianism, nationalism, and a belief in the superiority of one race or nation.

Question 26

Federalism

Answer 26

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and regional governments.

Question 27

Feudalism

Answer 27

A system of government in which the nobility held land from the king in exchange for military service and protection of the peasants.

Question 28

Free market

Answer 28

An economic system in which the forces of supply and demand determine the prices of goods and services without government intervention.