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What is a Citizen
An individual with certain rights and duties under a government who, by birth or by choice, owes allegiance to that government.
Popular Sovereignty
Government power comes from the people (“We the People”).
Political Party
An organization of people who share similar ideas about government and work to win elections.
Bicameral
Congress is divided into two separate chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Bureaucracy
The many departments, agencies, and commissions that help carry out executive work.
what is the 14th Amendment
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the state wherein they reside
Republicanism
Citizens elect representatives to make laws.
Conservative
Political ideology favoring tradition, limited government, and individual responsibility. (Republicans)
House of Representatives
The chamber of Congress where the number of representatives depends on each state’s population.
Executive Departments
Led by cabinet secretaries, the President gives them power to make and enforce regulations.
What is Naturalization
The admittance of citizenship to a country
Limited Government
Government is not all-powerful
Liberal
Political ideology favoring reform, government programs to address social issues, and equal opportunities. (Democrats)
Senate
The chamber of Congress where each state has the same number of senators (2 per state).
Executive Agencies
Agencies that have specialized duties to assist the president, such as the CIA and the EPA.
What is Self-Reliance
Solving problems on your own without always needing help
English Common Law
System of law based on tradition and court decisions, rather than written law.
Political Center
A political ideology in which a person’s opinions and beliefs are not strong or extreme. The majority of Americans fall into this category. (Moderate)
Elastic Clause
Part of the Constitution that lets Congress make laws needed to carry out its powers. (Necessary & Proper Clause)
Regulatory Commissions
A group of people officially charged with regulating (monitoring) specific industries, such as the FCC and the SEC.
What is Civic Duties
Things citizens are required to do by law for the good of their community, such as paying your taxes.
Charters of the VA Company of London
Guaranteed colonists the rights of Englishmen.
Third Party
Smaller political parties that rarely win but influence debates and specific issues.
Interest Group
A group of people who work together to influence the government and promote their ideas or causes.
Swing State
A state in a presidential election that could reasonably be won by either political party, so candidates spend extra time and attention there.