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Honors American Government A > Unit 1: Foundations and Constitution Vocabulary > Flashcards

Unit 1: Foundations and Constitution Vocabulary Flashcards

1
Q

Code Definition

A

a comprehensive and systematic statement of rules or laws

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2
Q

Code of Hammurabi Definition

A

a series of rules and laws that were used uniformly in ancient Mesopotamia

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3
Q

Government Definition

A

a political system by which people are ruled

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4
Q

Monarchy Definition

A

a government that is run solely by a king, queen, or emperor, usually based on heredity

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5
Q

Political Thought Definition

A

a discipline that studies questions of people’s rights, justice, laws, and how and why people are governed

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6
Q

Constitutional Monarchy Definition

A

a government in which a monarch (for example a king or queen) shares power with a constitutionally organized government

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7
Q

Constitutional Democracy Definition

A

a government whose power is limited by a constitution

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8
Q

English Bill of Rights Definition

A

part of an invitation from Parliament to seat King William and Queen Mary as the new monarchs after King James II had been overthrown that required them to limit their own power and to extend many civil rights to the English people

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9
Q

English Common Law Definition

A

English law originating from judicial decisions based on custom and precedent

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10
Q

Limited Government Definition

A

a government that has limited powers based on laws and the consent of the people

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11
Q

Magna Carta Definition

A

a royal charter signed in 1215 by King John that offered a group of barons protection to practice their religion, protection from illegal imprisonment, and the right to swift justice in legal affairs

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12
Q

Parliament Definition

A

the governing body in England with the highest authority on legislative matters that ultimately represents the people

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13
Q

U.S. Bill of Rights (1791) Definition

A

the first 10 Amendments of the U.S. Constitution that limit the power of the U.S. government over the U.S. people

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14
Q

African Religions Definition

A

a broad term acknowledging the many different religious beliefs enslaved people brought to the United States

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15
Q

Catholic Definition

A

a member of a Christian religious group that believes that the Catholic Church with the pope as its leader on Earth is the only true church

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16
Q

Christian Definition

A

a member of a religious group that believes in the Bible and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ

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17
Q

Jew Definition

A

a member of a religious group that traces its religious beliefs back to historic Israel and the Hebrew people of Abraham

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18
Q

Protestant Definition

A

a member of a Christian religious group that broke away from the Roman Catholic Church but still adheres to the Bible

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19
Q

Puritan Definition

A

member of an English Protestant group in New England that sought to simplify the religious traditions and practices of the Church of England

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20
Q

Corporate Colony Definition

A

the land granted to inhabitants as a corporate body

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21
Q

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Definition

A

a document that established rules for governing

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22
Q

Lord Proprietor Definition

A

a person appointed to oversee the business of a proprietary colony on behalf of a higher sovereign

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23
Q

Mayflower Compact Definition

A

a document drafted by original settlers of the Plymouth Colony that created a system of lawmaking

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24
Q

Proprietary Colony Definition

A

the land owned by an individual or family in colonial America

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25
Q

Royal Charter of 1663 Definition

A

a document granted by King Charles II that allowed Rhode Island settlers to govern their own colony

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26
Q

Royal Colony Definition

A

a colony governed by direct monarchial rule

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27
Q

Self-government Definition

A

a government elected by the people

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28
Q

Articles of Confederation (1781-1789) Definition

A

the first constitution of the U.S. that provided for all governmental power to be vested in a single institution, the Congress

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29
Q

Bill Definition

A

a new proposed law

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30
Q

Checks and Balances Definition

A

the power and the ability to check the other branches given to each one of the three branches to ensure that no one section of the government could obtain excessive unchecked power

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31
Q

Declaration of Independence (1776) Definition

A

the pronouncement by the U.S. colonies formally declaring themselves independent of Great Britain

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32
Q

Executive Branch Definition

A

the branch of government that enforces laws, consisting of the president, a cabinet appointed by the president, and various agencies and advisors

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33
Q

Judicial Branch Definition

A

the branch of government that interprets laws, consisting of the U.S. Supreme Court and federal court system

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34
Q

Legislative Branch Definition

A

the branch of government that passes laws, consisting of the two houses of Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives

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35
Q

Popular Sovereignty Definition

A

the authority of the government is given by the consent of the people; the idea that the people hold ultimate authority over their own government

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36
Q

Separation of Powers Definition

A

the division of responsibilities between different branches of government to help keep one branch from becoming more powerful than another

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37
Q

Social Contract Definition

A

an agreement among members of a society to give up some individual freedoms to the government in exchange for the government protecting their natural rights

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38
Q

Natural Right Deinition

A

a right that is not dependent on the laws of government and is inalienable

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39
Q

Enlightenment Philosophers Definition

A

the men and women who wrote about the ideas of a government that is run by and for the people, during the Enlightenment Era in Europe

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40
Q

Grievance Definition

A

a wrong considered as grounds for complaint; something believed to be inequitable and that causes distress

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41
Q

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Definition

A

an English political philosopher known for his work concerning the social contract and natural law. His best-known work is “Leviathan” (1651)

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42
Q

John Locke (1632–1704) Definition

A

an English political philosopher known for his work concerning natural rights. His best-known work is “Two Treatises of Government” (1689). His ideas are considered the foundation of American political thought

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43
Q

Anti-Federalists Definition

A

the individuals who were opposed to the adoption of the Constitution

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44
Q

U.S. Constitution (1787) Definition

A

a document that provides the legal basis for the United States of America; the framework of American government complete with rights, powers, and responsibilities of the individual and of the state and national levels of government

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45
Q

Democracy Definition

A

a system of government where the members of society have the ability to make policy decisions for the whole of the society; a government ruled by the people

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46
Q

Direct Democracy Definition

A

a government that allows citizens to vote on important matters

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47
Q

Federalists Definition

A

the individuals who supported the adoption of the Constitution

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48
Q

Framers Definition

A

the writers of the Constitution

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49
Q

Initiative Definition

A

the ability for registered voters in some states to create new laws and amend a state’s constitution

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50
Q

Recall Definition

A

the ability for registered voters in some states to remove elected officials from office

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51
Q

Referendum Definition

A

the ability for voters to accept or repeal legislative action; a general vote by citizens on a single political question

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52
Q

Representative Democracy Definition

A

a government in which people elect representatives to make decisions for them

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53
Q

Republic Definition

A

a government in which people select leaders to represent them

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54
Q

Three-Fifths Compromise Definition

A

an agreement between the northern and southern states that three out of every five enslaved people would be counted to determine taxation and representation in the House of Representatives

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55
Q

Tyranny Definition

A

cruel, harsh, and unfair government in which one person or a small group of people holds power

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56
Q

Social Democracy Definition

A

a democratic form of government that has socialist and capitalist characteristics

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57
Q

Theocracy Definition

A

a government run by a religious leader

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58
Q

Totalitarian Government Definition

A

a government in which a leader tries to control all aspects of public and private life

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59
Q

Authoritarian Government Definition

A

a form of government that is not limited by a constitution, the rule of law, or elections, and typically, it would be run by one or a few individuals

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60
Q

Civil Society Definition

A

organizations that are not an official part of the government but function to assist people in defining and pursuing their own interests

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61
Q

Democratic System of Government Definition

A

a system in which the people have the power to rule, government officials are selected through free and fair elections, there are constitutional limits on government actions, and individuals have freedom of thought and action

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62
Q

Impeachment Definition

A

a legal charge of misconduct by a government official; the equivalent of charging a president with actions that could lead to their removal

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63
Q

Individualism Definition

A

the belief that freedom for individuals’ choices is preferred to collective or state control

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64
Q

Pluralism Definition

A

the idea that many interests ought to be free to compete for influence over the government and its policies

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65
Q

Rule by Law Definition

A

the principle that the government does not apply the law equally to all citizens, and leaders are above the law

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66
Q

Rule of Law Definition

A

the principle that well-defined and established laws are applied equally to all citizens; the restriction of the arbitrary use of government power based on well-defined and established laws

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67
Q

Enlightenment Definition

A

an intellectual and philosophical movement that reshaped the views of Europe about government in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries

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68
Q

Fundamental Definition

A

basic or central

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69
Q

Inalienable Definition

A

not capable of being taken away or denied

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70
Q

Natural Law Definition

A

the idea that there are forms of law that exist by themselves in nature, regardless of whether people want to believe in them or not. Unlike other forms of law that have been agreed on by society, people cannot go against natural laws. Human rights are a part of natural law

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71
Q

Natural Rights Definition

A

rights that are not dependent on the laws of government and cannot be taken away

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72
Q

State of Nature Definition

A

a time or place with no government

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73
Q

Universal Definition

A

applying to all

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74
Q

Concurrent Powers Definition

A

the powers that are shared by the national and state governments

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75
Q

Delegated Powers Definition

A

the powers given to the federal government by the Constitution

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76
Q

Emergency Powers Definition

A

the additional powers that can be exercised by the executive or legislative branch during a declared state of emergency

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77
Q

Enumerated Powers Definition

A

the powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution

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78
Q

Federalism Definition

A

a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government with one overarching national government

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79
Q

Probable Cause Definition

A

the belief by a reasonable person that it is more likely than not that a crime has been or is being committed

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80
Q

Reserved Powers Definition

A

the powers that are kept by the states; these are protected by the Tenth Amendment

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81
Q

Unconstitutional Definition

A

when a law or act is not in accordance with the protections of the U.S. Constitution

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82
Q

Bleeding Kansas Definition

A

a small civil war in the Kansas territory concerning a vote about entering the United States as a free or slave state

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83
Q

Consent Definition

A

an agreement

84
Q

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) Definition

A

a congressional act, based on the concept of popular sovereignty, that gave citizens in the Kansas and Nebraska territories the right to vote on if they should enter the United States as a free or slave state

85
Q

Nullify Definition

A

to cancel or to make legally void

86
Q

Sovereignty Definition

A

independent, autonomous authority

87
Q

Absolute Monarchy Definition

A

a government in which a monarch (for example, a king or queen) does not share power with a constitutionally organized government

88
Q

Declaration of Independence Definition

A

the pronouncement by the U.S. colonies formally declaring themselves independent of Great Britain

89
Q

Divine Right of Kings Definition

A

the belief that kings received their absolute power from a higher authority

90
Q

Initiative Petition Definition

A

a process by which citizens can make public policy by circulating a petition, gaining an appropriate number of signatures, and then forcing a vote on a specific question or proposition

91
Q

Tyranny of the Majority Definition

A

a situation in which in democracies the majority of voters can pass laws and limit the rights of a minority of voters

92
Q

Salutary Neglect Definition

A

the unofficial policy in the seventeenth century that allowed the American colonies to have their own form of government as long as they remained profitable and loyal to the British

93
Q

Bicameral Definition

A

consisting of two legislative houses

94
Q

Great Compromise Definition

A

a compromise accepted during the Constitutional Convention that developed the framework for the U.S. Congress; also known as the Connecticut Compromise

95
Q

House of Representatives Definition

A

the lower house of the U.S. Congress that proportionally represents the states based on population; includes 435 members

96
Q

New Jersey Plan Definition

A

a proposal made during the Constitutional Convention calling for a unicameral legislative branch based on equal representation for each state

97
Q

Senate Definition

A

the upper house of the U.S. Congress that represents the states based on equality; includes two members from each state for a total of 100 members

98
Q

Virginia Plan Definition

A

a proposal made during the Constitution Convention calling for a bicameral legislative branch with membership in both houses based on a state’s population

99
Q

Civil Rights Act of 1964 Definition

A

law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

100
Q

Continental Congress (1774) Definition

A

a meeting of delegates from the 13 colonies who put forth the Declaration of Independence and formally declared independence from England

101
Q

Declaration of Sentiments (1848) Definition

A

a declaration made at the Seneca Falls Convention that women are equal to men and should be given equal rights

102
Q

Fifteenth Amendment Definition

A

the addition to the Constitution that granted Black American men the right to vote

103
Q

Fourteenth Amendment Definition

A

the addition to the Constitution that granted Black Americans citizenship

104
Q

Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) Definition

A

an American abolitionist, orator, writer, statesman, and author of the speech “What to the Slave Is the 4th of July?”

105
Q

Indian Citizenship Act (1924) Definition

A

an act that granted Indigenous Americans citizenship

106
Q

Nineteenth Amendment Definition

A

the addition to the Constitution that granted women the right to vote

107
Q

Seneca Falls Convention (1848) Definition

A

the first women’s rights convention in the United States

108
Q

Thirteenth Amendment Definition

A

the addition to the Constitution that ended slavery

109
Q

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) Definition

A

an American statesman and philosopher credited with being the primary author of the Declaration of Independence

110
Q

Faction Definition

A

a small, organized, dissenting group; a group of people who are pursuing their own self-interest

111
Q

“The Federalist Papers” (1788) Definition

A

a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison in defense of the Constitution

112
Q

Shays’ Rebellion Definition

A

an armed uprising led by Daniel Shays that occurred between 1786 and 1787 in Massachusetts over debt, tax policies, and economic hardships

113
Q

Unicameral Definition

A

a one-house legislature

114
Q

Loose Constructionism Definition

A

the legal interpretation of the U.S. Constitution that goes beyond the text and allows for a broader definition of the Framers’ intent

115
Q

Strict Constructionism Definition

A

the legal interpretation of the U. S. Constitution that uses the text only to determine the Framers’ intent

116
Q

Amendment Definition

A

the formal act of changing or adding to the Constitution

117
Q

Article Definition

A

a numbered part, or section, of the Constitution

118
Q

Domestic Definition

A

relating to or existing inside a particular country

119
Q

Executive Branch Definition

A

the branch of government that enforces laws, consisting of the president, a cabinet appointed by the president, and various agencies and advisors

120
Q

Judicial Branch Definition

A

the branch of government that interprets laws, consisting of the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal court system

121
Q

Legislative Branch Definition

A

the branch of government that passes laws, consisting of the two chambers of Congress

122
Q

Preamble Definition

A

the introduction to the Constitution that explains the purpose of the document

123
Q

Ratification Definition

A

a formal approval

124
Q

Political Gridlock Definition

A

a stalemate that occurs when the government is unable to act or pass laws because rival parties control different branches of government and are unable to compromise

125
Q

“Brown v. Board of Education” Definition

A

a landmark Supreme Court case that rejected the doctrine of separate but equal and led to a policy of integration

126
Q

Commerce Clause Definition

A

a clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade

127
Q

New Federalism Definition

A

a period (1980s to the present) of federalism in which some power was returned to state governments

128
Q

Supremacy Clause Definition

A

the clause in the U.S. Constitution that states the Constitution and federal laws that follow the Constitution are the supreme law of the land

129
Q

“United States v. Lopez” Definition

A

a Supreme Court decision that ruled Congress’s creation of gun-free school zones was an unconstitutional use of its commerce power

130
Q

Devaluation Definition

A

the reduction of worth or value in currency

131
Q

Capitalism Definition

A

a system of social organization where there is a free market with a limited role of government

132
Q

Compromise of 1850 Definition

A

a package of five laws passed by Congress relating to the issue of slavery and territorial expansion that included admitting California to the Union as a free state, allowing New Mexico and Utah to vote on the issue of slavery, defined the Texas-New Mexico boundaries, and amended the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

133
Q

Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 Definition

A

the legislation that established minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and employment standards for children in both private and public sectors of business

134
Q

Great Depression Definition

A

a period of severe economic downturn beginning in 1929 and lasting through the 1930s, leading to high levels of unemployment and poverty in America and the world

135
Q

Industrial Revolution Definition

A

the period marked by transition from an agrarian economy to one based in manufacturing

136
Q

Market Economy Definition

A

an economy that uses supply and demand and profit motives to drive prices and availability

137
Q

Missouri Compromise of 1820 Definition

A

a legislative action that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to the Union, while establishing an East to West line along the 36th parallel dividing the nation to contain slavery to the southern portion of the country

138
Q

Subsistence Farming Definition

A

a system that occurs when farmers grow crops to meet their own needs and the needs of their families for survival without a focus on sales or surplus

139
Q

Tariff Definition

A

a tax on imported goods

140
Q

Gross Pay Definition

A

the amount employees earn before taxes, benefits, and other payroll deductions are withheld from their wages

141
Q

Medicaid Definition

A

the federal public health insurance program for low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities

142
Q

Medicare Definition

A

the federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older and younger people receiving Social Security disability benefits

143
Q

Social Security Definition

A

a federal insurance program that provides benefits to retired people and those who are unemployed or have a disability

144
Q

Free-rider Problem Definition

A

the cost of public goods that is distributed throughout society in the form of taxation but isn’t paid equally by everyone who uses these resources

145
Q

Geneva Convention

A

an international agreement among nations that governs the treatment of prisoners of war and wounded soldiers

146
Q

Nonexcludable Definition

A

the goods that society ensures are accessible to everyone

147
Q

Nonrivalrous Definition

A

the goods for which people do not compete

148
Q

Price Control Definition

A

a limit on how much a company can charge for a product or service

149
Q

Private Good Definition

A

a product or service that is scarce and not financed through taxation

150
Q

Privatize Definition

A

the shift of public goods from societal ownership to private ownership motivated by profit

151
Q

Public Good Definition

A

a product or service made accessible to everyone without profit

152
Q

Scarcity Definition

A

the demand for a good or service that is greater than the availability of the good or service

153
Q

Socioeconomic Status Definition

A

an individual or group’s placement within society measured through various methods, including education, income, and professional occupation

154
Q

Supply and Demand Definition

A

the amount of a product that can be produced compared to consumer demand that results in a price

155
Q

Age Discrimination in Employment Act Definition

A

a law passed in 1967 that prohibits employment discrimination against people 40 years and older

156
Q

Equal Pay Act of 1963 Definition

A

the act signed by President John F. Kennedy that attempted to abolish gender pay differences

157
Q

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Definition

A

a government organization created in the aftermath of the Great Depression to better regulate banking procedures

158
Q

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Definition

A

an independent regulatory agency that enforces civil antitrust and consumer protection laws

159
Q

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Definition

A

the government agency responsible for protecting consumers from unsafe food, medicines, and nutritional supplements; often abbreviated as FDA

160
Q

Food Stamp Program Definition

A

the United States government program that provides financial assistance to purchase food

161
Q

Guns versus Butter Definition

A

the economic tension resulting from competing demands of creating a strong national defense or addressing domestic needs

162
Q

Interstate Commerce Act Definition

A

a law addressing the unrestricted trade among states

163
Q

Laissez-Faire Economy Definition

A

an economy in which government does not interfere

164
Q

Monopoly Definition

A

the exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service

165
Q

National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) Definition

A

an act established in 1935 to guarantee private sector employees the right to organize unions and use collective action to achieve improvements in the work environment and wages

166
Q

New Deal Definition

A

a series of government laws and regulations enacted after 1932 to address the effects of the Great Depression

167
Q

Progressive Era Definition

A

an era during the late 1800s and early 1900s in the United States where there was social, economic, and political expansion; reformers of this time were known as progressives

168
Q

Robber-Baron Definition

A

a titan of industry who sought to control all facets of production of specific goods through monopolies and trusts during the late 1800s

169
Q

Sherman Antitrust Act Definition

A

a law passed in 1890 aimed at preventing the formation of trusts and at promoting free competition between

170
Q

Trust Definition

A

a large group of business interests acting together to promote and maintain economic power

171
Q

Works Progress Administration Definition

A

a Great Depression-era program designed to create jobs through the construction of infrastructure projects

172
Q

Commercial Speech Definition

A

a form of expression that relates to business activities

173
Q

Defamation Definition

A

a form of expression that damages someone’s reputation

174
Q

Fighting Words Definition

A

a form of expression intended to provoke violence from another person

175
Q

Hate Speech Definition

A

a form of expression that displays disdain for a particular group based on race, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, or some other characteristic

176
Q

Libel Definition

A

a form of defamation that is in print, such as in a book, newspaper, or on a website

177
Q

Obscenity Definition

A

a form of expression that is sexual in nature and considered by most individuals to be lewd or inappropriate

178
Q

Petition Definition

A

a form of expression that involves communicating preferences to government officials

179
Q

Prior Restraint Definition

A

a form of censorship where the government prohibits the publication of things that it finds objectionable

180
Q

Sedition Definition

A

a form of expression that encourages the violent overthrow of a government

181
Q

Slander Definition

A

a form of defamation that is spoken, such as gossip or spreading rumors

182
Q

Symbolic Speech Definition

A

a form of expression that uses symbols to communicate instead of words

183
Q

Expressed Powers Definition

A

the powers that are assigned to the national government of the United States and explicitly mentioned in the U.S. Constitution

184
Q

Federation Definition

A

a system where governmental power is divided between the national government and regional governments

185
Q

Implied Powers Definition

A

the powers that, while not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, are related to the powers that are specifically mentioned; the powers derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause

186
Q

Police Power Definition

A

the power to protect the public peace, health, safety, and welfare

187
Q

Block Grant Definition

A

a grant for a general purpose; federal government money given to states with which states have flexibility in how the money will be spent

188
Q

Categorial Grant Definition

A

a grant for a very specific purpose; federal government money given to states with which states have little flexibility in how the money will be spent

189
Q

Devolution Definition

A

the idea that decision-making authority should be returned to the states

190
Q

Due Process Clause Definition

A

a part of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution that says the state must recognize the legal rights of individuals and treat them fairly

191
Q

Equal Protection Clause Definition

A

the clause that prohibits states from discriminating; the part of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that says the government cannot deny individuals equal protection under the law

192
Q

Fiscal Federalism Definition

A

the process by which the national government gives state and local governments grants while specifying conditions with which those state and local governments must comply

193
Q

Selective Incorporation Definition

A

the process by which parts of the Bill of Rights have been applied to the states

194
Q

The Anti-Federalist Papers Definition

A

a series of articles that was published to counter points made in The Federalist Papers

195
Q

Civil Liberties Definition

A

the protections that individuals have against arbitrary government action

196
Q

Comepelling Governmental Interest Definition

A

an interest relating to some type of critical governmental function or purpose

197
Q

Liberal Democracy Definition

A

a type of political system that allows majority views to govern while at the same time protecting minority views and minority groups

198
Q

Majority Rule Definition

A

the idea that the views of the majority of the population should be used as the basis for laws

199
Q

Social Cleavages Definition

A

a major division in the society, such as race, ethnicity, or gender

200
Q

Cooperative Federalism Definition

A

period (1930–1980s) of federalism in which the national and state governments worked together to solve problems, under the leadership of the national government

201
Q

Dual Federalism Definition

A

period (1790–1930) of federalism in which the national government and state governments were relatively equal in power

202
Q

Necessary and Proper Clause Definition

A

the section of the Constitution that allows Congress to do what is “necessary and proper” to carry out the power given to it specifically by the Constitution

203
Q

Social Welfare Program Definition

A

a government program designed to give financial help to lower-income families

204
Q

Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Definition

A

the law that used block grants to fund social welfare programs, giving states more flexibility over social welfare programs in their states

205
Q

Divided Government Definition

A

a situation that occurs when one political party controls the presidency and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

206
Q

Parliamentary System Definition

A

a system of government where the executive leader is selected from the legislature

207
Q

Presidential System Definition

A

a system of government where the legislative and executive branches are separate, and the people select the executive

Honors American Government A (9 decks)

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