Back Matter

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Glossary

UNIT 1

divine right – the monarchy’s belief that their power was given to them by the authority of god

limited government – to ensure freedoms of the citizens, policy restricts the power of governmental officials

constitution – document stating the major principles and structures of our government

UNIT 2

rule of law –concept that individuals, including political leaders, must adhere to laws

amendment – to modify or add, specifically referring to an addition to the U.S. Constitution

double-jeopardy – does not allow an individual to be tried twice for the same criminal episode

self-incrimination – giving information about oneself that is likely to implicate oneself in a crime

federalism – a national centralized government and a collection of smaller state governments share power between them

popular sovereignty – power given to the individuals

checks and balances – a system in which limits are placed on functions of government so no one part becomes too powerful

separation of powers – the division of power between the branches of government. Done to guarantee that power does not rest with just one branch

republicanism – government in which representatives are chosen as leader

UNIT 3

unitary system – power and authority is centralized in one political body

confederation – a system in which a variety of countries, people, or groups merge as an alliance

parliamentary system – political system in which a single legislative body, known as parliament, makes and carries out the laws

legislative – law making branch of government

executive – administration of the laws branch of government

judicial system – administration of justice through the court

UNIT 4

Congress – legislative body of the United States

bureaucracy – the non-elective governmental bodies that manage operations of the government

judicial review – power of the courts to examine the constitutionality of laws

jurisdiction – authority the court has over particular cases or territories

bicameral - two houses or chambers in a legislative body

due process – the application of the law and legal principles for all citizens ensuring fair treatment

UNIT 5

policy – actions or procedures approved by the government

revenue – income raised by the government

expenditure – costs acquired by the government

regulations – rules and standards set by the government

fiscal policy – government procedures that apply to spending and collection of revenue

monetary policy – government procedures that relate to the money supply

foreign aid – financial aid given to other countries

UNIT 6

apportionment – a procedure for determining the number of representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives based on state’s population

census – a count of the population conducted every ten years

judicial activism – practice of issuing judicial rulings that affect national policies

judicial restraint – practice of avoiding making judicial rulings related to social or political issues

lobbying – process of working to influence the decisions of political leaders

gerrymandering – the process of creating political districts that gives one political party a majority in a territory