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civics test study guide

Terms in this set (48)

checks and balances
...A system in which the powers of government are balanced among different branches so that each branch can check, or limit, the power of the other branches.
separation of powers
...The distribution of political power among the branches of government, giving each branch a particular set of responsibilities.
veto
...A refusal by the president or a governor to sign a bill.
impeach
...To charge a government official with misconduct.
judicial review
...The power of the U.S. Supreme Court to determine if a law passed by Congress or a presidential action is in accord with the Constitution.
citizen
A legally recognized member of a country.
government
The organizations, institutions, and individuals who excercise political authority over a group of people
immigrants
people who came to the United States from other countries
aliens
permanent residents of the United States who are still citizens of another country.
naturalization
A legal process to obtain citizenship
quota
a limited or fixed number or amount of people or things, in particular.
refugees
a person who flees from home or country to seek refuge elsewhere, often because of political upheaval or famine
census
A population count taken by the Census Bureau
migration
(n.) a movement from one country or region to another
monarchy
A government ruled by a king or queen
dictatorship
A form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority.
theocracy
A government controlled by religious leaders
direct democracy
A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives
representative democracy
A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.
republic
A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them
constitution
A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society
human rights
the basic rights to which all people are entitled as human beings
confederation
a political system in which a weak central government has limited authority, and the states have ultimate power.
sovereignty
Ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its internal affairs.
John Locke
17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.
Charles Montesquieu
18th century French philosopher that argued for separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial realms
federalism
A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments
federalists
Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They didn't want the Bill of Rights because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution.
antifederalists
They opposed the ratification of the Constitution because it gave more power to the federal government and less to the states, and because it did not ensure individual rights. Many wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation. The Antifederalists were instrumental in obtaining passage of the Bill of Rights as a prerequisite to ratification of the Constitution in several states.
amendment
A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law
Bill of Rights
A formal statement of the fundamental rights of the people of the United States, incorporated in the Constitution as Amendments 1-10, and in all state constitutions.
Amending the Constitution
To Propose: 2/3 of House and Senate approve and amendment sent to states for ratification, 2/3 of state legislatures ask Congress to call nat'l convention to propose amendments. To Ratify: 3/4 state legislatures approve it, ratifying conventions in 3/4 of states approve it.
Commander in Chief of the Military
The president
Ratification
Formal approval, final consent to a constitutional amendment, or treaty.
Requirements for naturalization
18 years old, 5 year residency
legislative branch
Branch of government that passes laws
executive branch
Carries out the laws
judicial branch
the branch of government charged with the interpretation of laws
vice presidential duties
Preside over the senate and back up president
terms of U.S. Senator
6 years
term of Representative
2 yrs
term of President
4 yr term; 22nd Amendment limits to 2 full terms; 10 yrs max total
oligarchy
A system of government in which a small group holds power
unalienable rights
basic rights of the people that may not be taken away
consent of the governed
an agreement made by the people to establish a government and abide by its laws
insure domestic tranquility
government will protect citizens from conflict in the country and make sure that states do not go to war with each other
statutory law
the written law enacted by a legislature, as distinguished from unwritten law or common lawM
Marbury v. Madison (1819)
U.S. Supreme Court case that established judicial review
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