Unit: 1. INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENTS 

accountability

the character of being responsible to the people; being answerable to others

activism

action taken to strengthen or weaken a political ideal

aristocracy

government by privileged citizens or the upper class

atrocity

an appallingly terrible act

autocracy

one person has complete control over all branches of government

authority

the power and/or right to enforce obedience and make decisions over a group

bureaucracy

a system of leaders who carry out the work of the government through departments

collaboration

working in a unified intellectual effort on a joint project

commerce

the business and exchange of goods by purchase, trade, or sale

communism

a political system of collective ownership, the population is of one class

Communist Manifesto

written by Marx urging to overthrow the upper classes; textbook for communism and socialism

Congress

elected legislative body of a country

Constitution

set of laws and guidelines laid out for the proper governing of a country

culture

human thought and lifestyle within a certain time period or place

Das Kapital

written by Karl Marx promoting the working class uprising; a text for Marxism and Communism

democracy

rule by the people, originally an Aristotelian term that meant bad "people-run" government

dictator

leader who has total control over a country, and is unrestrained by law

dissenter

one who disagrees or has a difference of opinion

divine laws

instructions and guidelines for life believed to have been delivered by God

electoral districts

local geographic boundaries within the which the citizen votes

ethics

system of moral values and good conduct

federal

government formed by a union of smaller groups (states) in agreement

foreign exchange student

pupils who go to another country to study its culture for a set amount of time, usually a year

free enterprise system

system in which the government allows the citizen to own and operate private business

general election

the people of the country voting for the members of the House of Commons

government

system of authority over a group of people

habeas corpus

order to bring an arrested person to court and decide whether the imprisonment is legal

House of Commons

oversees law and tax legislation; the more powerful of the two houses of Parliament

House of Lords

contains the High Court; the "upper house"; composed of the lords temporal and spiritual

House of Representatives

one of the two houses of Congress in a Presidential government

humanistic

secular, promoted during the Renaissance; putting emphasis on man's will

impeachment

charging of a public official of a crime or misdeed before a judging body of officials

imports

goods brought into a country or state for the purpose of trade

Institutional Revolutionary Party

ruling political party in Mexico from 1929 to 2000.

insubordination

act of disobedience

intangible

that cannot be felt by touching, immaterial

judiciary system

system of courts and the upholding of the laws of the land

jurisdiction

right to exercise authority

Khmer Rouge

Communist regime in Cambodia that brutally seized power in 1975 and controlled the country until 1979

legislation

proposed law

legislature

body of elected officials that is empowered to make laws for a country

license

authorization by law

loathe

to hate or abhor

majority

largest percentage of the whole body which, by vote, controls the direction of legislation

medieval

at the time of the Middle Ages (A.D. 500- 1500 approx.)

minority party

smaller party with not as much political clout or election support

monarchy

hereditary rule by one person alone; usually a king, queen, or emperor

morality

character of being in agreement with the standards of right conduct

Of Reformation in England

John Milton's writing on the preference of a commonwealth over a monarchy

oligarchy

selfish group leadership, as defined by Aristotle

override

to surpass a veto

Palace of Westminster

meeting site of both Houses of the British Parliament

parliamentary

government with a Prime Minister and two houses of Parliament elected by the people

philosopher

person who is learned in the study of thought and conduct

pluralism

form of government where the public has input in the various areas of interest of the country

policy

governmental course of action

polity

Aristotle's definition of a good government run by the people

presidential

government headed by a President; two houses of Congress elected by the people (American)

Prime Minister

leader of the majority party in the House of Commons

principles

basic rule or standard

Renaissance

revival of art and learning arising between the 14th and 16th centuries

regulate

to control, adjust or govern according to a system

republic

country whose government is controlled by the elected representatives of the population

revolutionary

one who tries to create radical change in government and existing political structure

socialism

system where political power and property is to be shared by the whole population

social scientist

one who studies individual relationships within society and relationships to society

sovereignty

supremacy of rule; higher authority

tangible

that can be felt by touching, material

tariffs

systems of taxes placed on imports or exports of a country

The Prince

publication written by Machiavelli which tells of maintaining power even by evil means

totalitarianism

government where the authorities require complete obedience and total submission

tyranny

unjust governmental authority; oppressive power

unrelenting

inflexible; refusing to yield

utilities

service to the public such as gas, telephone, water, or electric power

veto

rejection of a bill passed by the legislature

welfare state

country in which the government assumes a large share of the social caretaking of the people

workfare

System where a person receives welfare benefits by showing proof of working in a regular job.

Unit: 2. HISTORY OF GOVERNMENTS 

accountability

being answerable to others

Alexander Hamilton

American statesman, principal author of the Federalist Papers, and the first secretary of the treasury

alliance

a close association of countries

aristocrat

upper-class nobility

aristocratic

nobility or privileged upper-class citizens

ascribing

to give credit or honor to the source

assembly

Greek male citizens who would decide laws, enact government policies, and maintain authority

Axis

coalition of countries that opposed the Allied powers in World War II

chancellor

head of state in some forms of government

city-state

the ancient power structures; cities that were fortified into independent units of strength

colony

a group of people settled in a particular area who carry the same interests

commonwealth

a republic; a nation governed by the people

concentration camp

detainment centers for Hitler's "undesirable" citizens, including those of the Jewish race

Concilium Plebis

the "common-people" assembly which helped give the citizens more political power

culture

the belief, thoughts, and lifestyles of a particular community of people

decimated

to reduce the amount in blocks or sizable amounts

democratic

a government or organized group that strives to be fair and equal to all people

dictator

a sole ruler of a nation; often cruel and abusive

direct democracy

the first name given to the Greek democracy

economic collapse

the financial panic and downfall of a country

electorate

the voting public

empire

a dominating nation with extensive territories and a powerful ruler

fasces

rods bound by straps, blade of an ax would protrude from the rods, symbolizing unity and strength.

fascism

extreme totalitarian government run by a dictator and based on highly-emotional nationalism

The Federalist

a defense of the brand-new Constitution of the United States in a series of articles in 1787- 1788

feudal aid

rights benefiting both lord and vassals, who gave money at the marriage of the lord's eldest daughter

feudalism

a system of cooperation among peoples which was basically an exchange of land for protection

fief

the land granted to the vassal

Gestapo

Nazi secret police

Great Depression

result of the stock market panic of the 1920's that brought on the 1930's worldwide economic slump

homage

ceremony which bound the vassal's physical protection for the lord of the manor

indirect ballot

elected representatives cast the vote in the place of the members they represent

inflation

financial instability brought on by continual increase in prices or continual decrease in purchasing power

investiture

the vassal gives his allegiance and is given his rights to control the land but not have ownership of it

James Madison

American statesman, the "Father of the Constitution," and the fourth president of the United States

John Jay

American statesman and the first chief justice of the United States

knighthood

able-bodied men who are hired by the vassal for the protection of the lord

laws of the 12 tables

guideline for citizens' behavior; a list of Roman customs about property and punishment

lottery

a form of choosing results or choosing men by the drawing of lots

mercenary

a soldier who is hired for service in a foreign country

Mussolini

Italian Fascist party leader during World War II

natural resources

available supply of goods; not man-made

Nazism

leadership taken and directed by force, often with bloodshed; an oppressive regime

noble

lofty, financially well-to-do citizens who carried much power within the community

patrician

member of Rome's richest and most important families who served on the Senate for life

plebeian

common person or lower-class citizen

Prime Minister

elected leader in a parliamentary democracy

privilege

benefit enjoyed by a person out of grace or mercy not owed to the person

production

the making of goods that can be used or worn for protection or well-being

province

a territory of a nation

representative

member of a legislative power, elected by, and acting on behalf of the voters of his district

republic

a country run by the elected representatives of its people

right

things due to a person

Roman Senate

one of the two houses of the early Roman republic

settler

an emigrant who has arrived in a new area to create a home

social reform

a call for change within a country with regards to education and culture, among other things

socialist

government where the goods and services and political power are distributed among the people

standing army

group of soldiers ready to do battle

subinfeudation

breaking down an already-smaller portion of land in exchange for services and protection

submissive

to surrender to the authority of another

summons

call to appear in court

suppress

to subdue and limit the freedoms of people

sustenance

food and drink; necessary foods in order to stay alive

term

an assigned period of time for an elected official

tribune

leader within the Concilium Plebis

tyrannical government

form of fascism government; probably the most extreme

tyrant

power-hungry militants who grabbed absolute control by force

vassal

man who gives protection to the lord in exchange for land

Unit: 3. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 

abridge

to reduce or cut short

adoption

to receive and make one's own

advise

to recommend or suggest

alteration

change or amendment to the bill

ambassador

a representative of a government; a diplomat who resides in the country where the ambassador is in communication

amended

to improve; to change; to make into a better quality

Article

the divisions of the Constitution addressing certain policies and laws set forth for the country

assess

to evaluate and set the amount of a tax

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments to the Constitution, based strongly on the personal freedoms of the citizen

capitalism

an economic system in which private citizens invest capital into the economy to make a profit

ceremonial

describes a performance mainly in pomp and style rather than in accomplishment

chamber

a legislative meeting hall

checks and balances

a series of measures that keep a system from becoming too powerful or too weak

chief executive

U.S. president; carries responsibility of ceremonial duties, foreign affairs and armed forces

chief of state

another name for the chief executive; the president of the United States

circuit courts

Any one of the twelve courts of appeal in the various federal districts throughout the United States.

compensation

earnings; wage

concurrence

to reach an agreement

conference

a meeting for discussion

conference committee

group which was formed to reach an agreement on how the final version of a bill would be presented

consent

to agree or accept

constituents

a citizen of a district that elects representatives to government

constitutionality

whether the law or act is within the guidelines of the United States Constitution

consumer

someone who purchases goods and services for private use

contenders

political competitors

currency

a medium of exchange for purchases

debating

discussing, conversing, and even arguing over the points of a matter

delegated

to authorize or assign; allow

diplomatic relations

the communication and ongoing relationship between America and other nations of the world

divided government

in American politics, situation in which one party controls the House and the other party controls the Senate

draft

a brief, "first-step" presentation of a work to be completed

electoral college

group of electors chosen to make the decision of electing the President and Vice-President of the United States

embargo

a complete halt on trade between two nations

endowed

equipped with a talent or a quality

entrepreneurship

the development, building, and management of a business, with all of its risks in order to make a profit

enumeration

list; a number of

executive branch

one of the three branches of the U.S. government; mainly enforces federal laws

executive department

fifteen divisions of responsibility that handle the duty of administering the national government

expenditures

money spent on goods, services, or programs

the Fed

the Federal Reserve; the central bank of the U.S. responsible for regulating the financial system

floor action

activity concerning a bill which may include debates and compromises

hearings

when the aspects of a bill are discussed; includes written and verbal statements of interpretation

House Bill

legislation that is under the voting process in the House of Representatives

house of congress

one of the two chambers in government, either the Senate or the House of representatives

immunities

exemption; protection

impeachment

charging an official with a misdeed

in session

the time when Congress is active and members are present, fulfilling their respective duties

independent agencies

parts of the executive branch that act apart from an interactive network

inflation

a financial situation that occurs when prices rise and the value of money falls

infringed

disobeyed or violated

innovation

the creation of a new idea, method, or product that the consumer will use

intellectual property

inventions of the mind that are intangible, such as a piece of writing or architectural design

interest rates

the amounts of money a lender charges borrowers for use of assets

interpret

to explain the meaning of; to clarify the definition of

judicial

one of the three branches of the U.S. government; interprets federal laws, upholds, or negates them

judicial review

courts make decisions whether a law passed by Congress or states agrees with Constitution

jurisdiction

the extent of authority; the range of control

jury

group of citizens appointed to hear and decide upon a case presented in a court of law

legislation

bill that becomes a law

legislative

one of the three branches of the U.S. government; establishes or retracts laws

licensing

official and legal authorization for a specific ownership or practice

mark up

when a subcommittee makes changes and add amendments before they recommend a bill to proceed

neutrality

the state of not belonging to either side in a dispute

nominate

chosen; appointed

nullify

negate; destroy

ordering a bill reported

when a subcommittee reads its recommendation to the rest of their house of Congress

overturn

reverse; change to the opposite position

patent

government-issued right to an invention that makes it illegal for anyone else to copy it

persecuted

harassed or annoyed

petition

a request

president pro tempore

presiding officer of the Senate whenever the vice president is not present

presiding

ruling; overseeing

privatization

the practice of transferring government ownership of businesses or properties to the private corporations or individuals

prohibited

prevented; forbidden

public safety

creation and maintenance of state departments, hospitals and other citizen needs

public works

the creation and maintenance of state roads, dams, buildings and other similar projects

quartered

housed; supplied with home-like arrangements

R&D

a term for businesses’ and governments’ research and development divisions, which specialize in researching and developing new ideas

ratified

authorized; put into legislation

redress

to set right; correct a wrong that was committed

repeal

recall; cancel

revenue

money earned

roll call vote

voting process by the members who are present; no absentee voting allowed

sanctions

specific penalties placed on a foreign nation by the U.S. government

search and seizure

gives authority to the officer to seize certain designated items for evidence of a crime

sit

bill that will not be in progress or in any action but will be inactive for a particular time period

sponsor

member of Congress who is willing to introduce and back the legislation

state bar exam

the state testing of potential attorneys in order to see if they qualify for active legal practice

statutory construction

The act of the courts interpreting the meaning of laws and administrative rules and regulations

supply and demand

an economic theory in which the supply of and demand for a product determine the product’s price

technology

scientific methods and practices

tranquility

calmness; peacefulness (note: the early American spelling has two "l"s)

treaty

formal agreement between two or more governments

unalienable

cannot be lost or transferred away

venture capitalist

an individual or organization that supplies capital for a business endeavor

version

form or variation of the original

warrant

official judicial writing that authorizes a search

welfare

government financial aid to assist people in need

4. THE AMERICAN PARTY SYSTEM 

absentee voting

made for those who cannot be present at their polling place because of health or obligation

administration

executive branch of the American government; particularly used in relation to the office-holder

adopt

accepted and agreed upon

Alien and Sedition Acts

passed by the Federalists which gave the President power to deport aliens he deemed dangerous

announcement

individual fills out documentation and pays a filing fee to state that he seeks a political office

Anti-Federalist Party

one of the first two American political parties; it wanted a weak central government

appointee

one who is nominated or designated to a position

appointment

A designation to serve, based upon ability and other qualifications

Australian ballot

secret ballot, originated in Australia

ballot box

container into which votes are put

campaign

unified and organized effort with a goal in mind.

campaign manager

director of a political agenda whose goal is to place a chosen candidate in office

candidate

person who desires a position in a political office

carried

in a national election, a candidate won the vote in a particular state

caucus

a gathering of party leaders to talk over possible candidates

central government

The federal power of the country

challenger

person who does not hold an office but who is trying to unseat an incumbent

closed primary

voter declares his party allegiance and votes for the ballot of his own party

committee

group of leaders who make the major decisions in the political party's election strategy

concede

to yield or surrender, to admit or acknowledge

constituency

people of a certain region who elected a representative, who then is answerable to these people

Constitutional Convention

gathering to creating a Constitution which would lay down the laws for running the U.S.

contested election

if a losing candidate feels that fraud has occurred he may call for a recount of the votes

controversial

an issue that may not be agreed upon by many different sides, and causes many debates

county convention

delegates nominate county officers, elect a chairman, and chose delegates to the state convention

declaration of candidacy

when a person wishes to be a candidate for the party, he or she will make an announcement of intention

dictatorship

country with a one-party leader who is in complete control

direct primary

members vote to choose the candidate who is to represent their party in the general election

economic unrest

uneasiness due to the lack of stability in the financial market

election board

selected by the district election board, a group that sees to the fairness and efficiency of an election

electoral votes

the vote each state is given to cast for a national candidate for President of the United States

Era of Good Feelings

period from 1816- 1824 where there was only one political party: the Democrat-Republicans

faction

group that may not be in agreement with the general direction of the larger population

Federalist Party

one of the first two American political parties; it wanted a strong central government

general election

follows the primary election; voters determine which of the nominated candidates shall hold office

incumbent

person who currently holds an office

independents

voter with no party affiliation

inspector

one who is responsible for the proper conduct of the lection

landslide defeat

losing by a large margin in an election

local level

on a smaller, non-widespread scale

loose construction

free interpretation of Constitution, allowing federal government powers not specifically denied it

majority

having the larger number in a house of Congress, assuring strong voting power

mass meeting

convention that mobilizes the agenda and announces candidates for the national election

national level

on a country-wide scale

nominate

to formally suggest and recommend a candidate for election

office-bloc arrangement

titles of offices appear across ballot, candidates of both parties for office are placed below the titles

open primary

type of primary where all qualified voters may vote for the candidates of the party they desire

oral voting

older, less private form of voting where the voters would call out the name of the candidate

partisan

type of person who will staunchly campaign or vote for only one political party

party column method

names of parties appear at tops of columns; titles of the various offices are shown at the sides

party-raiding

members of one party move into the primary of the other party to choose candidates

patronage

appointing individuals to political offices

plank

an issue upon which the campaign may build, such as civil rights, taxes, energy, or education

platform

the declared policy of a political group

plurality

the most votes cast, but not necessarily a majority

political parties

group of people organized with a governmental agenda in mind

poll watcher

citizen who is paid by the parties to keep a watchful eye on the voters and the officials

polling official

designated authorities who see to the fairness of the election at each voting precinct

polling place

specific voting area; each voter is assigned a particular place within the district where he lives

precinct

election region or section of a community

primary

early election in which delegates select and nominate candidates for office

program

political plan of action

provincial

pertaining to Canada; regional or territorial

provision

arrangement or groundwork laid to establish a program

public relations

the effort to establish a favorable impression with the populace

referendum

submitting of a proposed public measure for voting by the general public

representative democracies

democracy where the people elect representatives to act as their agents in enforcing laws

scandal

public shame or disgrace brought about by illegal or unethical actions

secret ballot

ballot that is kept private and is distributed only at the polling places by the election officials

short ballot

ticket for voting that shows only the names of the candidates for the highest offices

specific leaders

chairman of the national committee and the presidential candidate

split ticket

voting for the best candidates for each office regardless of party

state convention

state delegates nominate candidates for offices and nominate delegates to the national convention

stock market crash of 1929

saw the market lose so much power that many people lost their fortunes in the matter of days

straight ticket

voting by marking an "X" at the top of the ballot beside the name of the party of his choice

strategy

plan of action

strict construction

interpretation of the Constitution that limits the Federal government to powers delegated to it

The Democrat Digest

monthly digest of information for Democrats

The Republican

monthly digest of information for Republicans

voting booth

device used in elections; its privacy curtain or shield ensures the citizen of secrecy while voting

voting machine

mechanism used in elections with a system of buttons and levers

war chest

money designated for the purpose of conducting a winning campaign

Whig party

a party formed mainly to fight the Democratic party and Andrew Jackson

5. THE CITIZEN AND THEIR GOVERNMENT 

active

involved and striving to reach a goal

affirmative action

a policy that seeks to favor those who have been historically discriminated against, such as minorities and women

anonymity

the state of being hidden from detection, secretive, and unrecognized

bandwagon

Giving the impression that everyone is involved, so the listener should join the group.

biased

stereotyped against; prejudiced

bond slave

A servant under complete submission to his master.

Boys State

Youth organization designed to encourage young men to learn about government.

cabinet members

Person appointed to head an executive department of the United States Government.

campaign debt

Deficit incurred due to the expenses of a political effort.

card-stacking

The candidate recalls good things he has done, omitting facts that would justify his defeat.

censorship

the act of removing what may be considered objectionable to people

citizen

a native or naturalized subject of a nation

civic responsibility

the preferred actions and attitudes a citizen takes toward the citizen's country

civil rights

rights and privileges owed to a citizen, including the freedoms of speech and of worship

compromise

an agreement reached by mutual concession

conscientious

Following one's principles.

consensus

majority agreement in matters of opinions

constitutional rights

Freedoms and opportunities granted and given to the citizens of the United States.

contemporary

of the present time; recent

debating team

Group that competes with others in order to study the value of communication.

discrimination

unfairness in judgment; prejudice; partiality

diverse

Distinct; different.

editorial

opinion section of a newspaper; many times also known as "Letters to the Editor"

editorial page

opinion page of the newspaper, where readers and writers express their views

Emancipation Proclamation

stated, "Slaves within any State shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free"

endowed

supplied with; given as a help

engagement

the state of actively working to promote and enhance an organization

equal access

the policy of giving every political party the same amount of radio or TV broadcast time at the same time of day

ethnic

refers to a common ancestry, nationality, or culture (including language and religious beliefs and practices) of a group of people

factually

Without any danger of error; basing actions on the truth.

Federal Communication Commission

a governmental agency that oversees the communications industry in America and enforces broadcast laws

First Amendment

States Congress shall not make a law to establish a religion, or prohibit free worship.

glittering generalities

Using wide-spread universal terms that do not deal with the specific issues at hand.

group identity

the affiliation among a particular culture, association, or people

heir

Those eligible for an inheritance.

influencing

exercising power to produce a desired result

jargon

special and technical words used by a particular profession that are difficult for others to understand

localized

Confined to a smaller region; "closer to home."

multi-cultural

Having diverse human thinking, beliefs, and backgrounds within a society.

name calling

Using broad accusations and negative attacks to hurt the reputation of an opponent.

nationality

the state of belonging to a nation by virtue of birth or naturalization

neutral

Belonging to neither side; uninvolved.

overturned

Reversed; changed the outcome.

passive

not participating; inactive

patriotism

Using nationalistic terms to give the impression of being zealous for the country's welfare.

personal responsibility

the actions and attitudes an individual chooses to adopt in that guide that person's daily living

plain folks

Projecting an image of being one of the common people.

policy

plan; course of action

political agenda

set of issues or policies laid out by political groups

political science

The study of the principles of government and the electoral process.

politics

The science and activity or governing and social leadership.

prejudices

biases; stereotypical attitudes

pressure group

a group that tries to influence or sway public policy

propaganda

material distributed by the proponents of a cause to support their viewpoint

propagandizing

To inform and make known the opinions and feelings of oneself.

public opinion

the collective feelings of the population of an area; it may or may not have factual basis

purge

To thoroughly clean out; to purify.

racketeer

a person who obtains money illegally, sometimes by threat of physical violence

religious affiliation

identification with a church or belief; adherence to a certain faith

reputation

The estimation of a person; the public perception of a person.

reversed

changed; headed in the opposite direction

ruling

A decision handed down from the court.

scandal

An issue that is a public shame, performed by an official in an illegal or unethical manner.

social class

A level of society.

social rewards

benefits that citizens of our society can enjoy; awards based on achievement

sound bite

a short clip of TV footage that may cut a speaker's words to a few seconds of time

special interest groups

an organization seeking or receiving special advantages through political lobbying

stereotyping

Acting in a biased manner; using prejudicial thinking.

testimonial

Using well-known personalities in the hopes of identifying with some of their glamour.

treasury

Where the funds are received, kept, and disbursed.