political science terms

Question 1

amendment

Answer 1

alteration of a law

Question 2

aristocracy

Answer 2

Government ruled by a small group of (usually elite) citizens

Question 3

authoritarianism

Answer 3

A government in which authority rests with a small group of politicians and society is generally submissive to that authority

Question 4

autocracy

Answer 4

Government in which all political power rests with one person

Question 5

cabinet

Answer 5

High-ranking executive branch officials

Question 6

conservative

Answer 6

Someone who believes in retaining traditional institutions

Question 7

constitutionalism

Answer 7

Government limited by fundamental laws

Question 8

democracy

Answer 8

Type of government in which citizens have a say in decisions

Question 9

detente

Answer 9

Relaxed political and military tensions during the Cold War

Question 10

dictator

Answer 10

Ruler with complete power

Question 11

domino theory

Answer 11

Idea that, if one country becomes communist, its neighbors will follow

Question 12

election

Answer 12

Process in which voters choose their leaders

Question 13

electoral college

Answer 13

People appointed by each state who elect the President of the United States

Question 14

fascism

Answer 14

Radical authoritarian political ideology in which people are united by national identity and the state seeks to eradicate foreign influences

Question 15

federalism

Answer 15

Government that divides power between a central authority and smaller divisions

Question 16

habeas corpus

Answer 16

A person under arrest must be brought before a judge thereby preventing unlawful detention, translation of Latin: “you have the body”

Question 17

impeachment

Answer 17

Formal process by which an official is accused of illegal activity

Question 18

jury

Answer 18

Group of people who come to a decision in a courtroom trial

Question 19

liberal

Answer 19

Someone who believes in increasing freedom and equality

Question 20

nationalism

Answer 20

Ideology in which people strongly identify with their country

Question 21

pluralism

Answer 21

Nongovernment entities exert influence on the government and have the belief that there should be diverse and competing centers of power in society

Question 22

propaganda

Answer 22

Communication that tries to influence people to side with an issue

Question 23

red scare

Answer 23

Two periods of anti-communism in the United States

Question 24

separation of powers

Answer 24

Government divided into branches

Question 25

totalitarianism

Answer 25

Government that controls every possible aspect of life

Question 26

wars powers resolution

Answer 26

Prevents the President of the United States from entering a war without approval from Congress