| A | B |
|---|
| dictatorship | a form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority |
| democracy | a form of government in which the supreme authority rests with the people |
| petition | a written request to do something |
| government | the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. |
| oligarchy | a government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite, ie. feudalism |
| representative democracy | a government in which citizens choose a smaller group to govern on their behalf |
| rule of law | idea that No one is above the law |
| code | laws grouped into an organized form |
| limited government | The government has only the powers that the constitution gives it |
| constitution | a body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a government |
| federalism | the powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments |
| delegated powers | Powers specifically granted to the national govt by the Constitution |
| reserved powers | powers that belong strictly to the states |
| concurrent powers | powers shared by the state and federal governments |
| separation of powers | the division of powers among branches of government; executive, judicial, and legislative |
| executive | the power to execute, enforce, and administer law ie. President |
| legislative | the power to make law and to frame public policies ie. Congress |
| judicial | the power to interpret laws, determine their meaning and to settle disputes that arise within the society. ie. Supreme Court |
| checks and balances | measures designed to prevent any one branch of government from dominating the others |
| popular sovereignty | the idea that the government's authority comes from the people |
| Declaration of Independence | A document written in 1776 declaring the colonists' intention to throw off British rule and establish a new government. Written by T. Jefferson |
| citizenship | status that gives political rights and also obligations |
| alien | term used to describe a person living in a country who is not a citizen of that country, somewhat controversial, otherwise called an "undocumented immigrant" |
| Bill of rights | First 10 amendments to the Constitution, that guarantee specific rights to U.S. citizens |
| preamble | Introduction to the Constitution, "We the People..." |
| amendment | An addition to, intended to change to the Constitution |
| ratify | To approve |
| articles | Numbered sections of the Constitution |
| governor | the executive head of a state in the U.S. |
| state | a body of people living in a defined territory that share power to make and enforce laws. |
