State and local government
Amendment
A change or addition to a constitution.
Scarcity
The inability to satisfy all wants at the same time
Article III
The part of the Constitution that creates the federal courts and explains their powers.
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.
Federalism
A system where power is shared between national and state governments.
Choice
The selection of an item or action from a set of possible alternatives.
Supreme Court
The highest court in the United States. Its decisions are final. Has Justices, no jury; appellate jurisdiction & limited original jurisdiction
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.
Enumerated Powers
Powers specifically given to the Federal Government by the US Constitution.
Opportunity Cost
What is given up when a choice is made (the second-best alternative).
U.S. Court of Appeals
The court that reviews cases from lower courts to see if the law was applied correctly. Has Judges, no jury, & appellate jurisdiction
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.
Reserved Powers
Powers kept by the states (10th Amendment).
Resources
Factors of production that are used in the production of goods and services
U.S. District Court
The trial courts in the federal court system. Has a Judge, with or without jury, & original jurisdiction.
Constituents
The people in a district or state who are represented by a member of Congress.
Regulatory Commissions
A group of people officially charged with regulating (monitoring) specific industries, such as the FCC and the SEC.
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by both state and national governments.
Natural Resources
Resources from nature, like water, land, and minerals, used to make things
Jurisdiction
The power to oversee or rule on a case.
Majority Party
The political party with the most members in a chamber of Congress.
Presidential Succession
The order in which the presidency is filled if the president cannot serve