Chapter 5 - American Government and Citizenship

representative democracy

A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote

government

Institution by which a society makes and enforces its public policies

political action committee

PAC - a private organization whose members share similar views and who try to influence legislators to favor the group's position

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments of the United States Constitution

constitution

a document that that describes the rights of the people and the framework of t he government.

jury

a group of citizens chosen to hear evidence in a legal case and to make a decision based on the evidence presented

Electoral College

a group of people (electors) from each state whose job it is to vote to determine the president

special interest group

a group of people that are interested in one particular issue

citizen

a native or naturnalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection

committee

a small group of delegates or senators who studies bills on a particular subject and makes recommendations on those bills tro the full membership of each house.

federalism

a system in which the national government and state governments share authorit y over the same territory and the same people

republic

a type of government in which the power to govern comes from the people

unicameral

describes a one house legislature

lobbyist

one who represents to legislators the view of the organization that he or she represents

implied powers

powers that are not specifically stated in the Constitution but come from Congress's right to make all laws "necessary" to carry out its expressed powers

bill

proprosed legislation

bicameral

refers to a two house legislature

proportional representation

representation based on population

infrastructure

roads, bridges, ports

judicial review

the ability to set aside the actions of the legislative or executive branches of any government agency

expressed powers

the powers specifically given to Congress in the United States Constitution

checks and balances

the principle of the government by which each branches are given some power to control or prevent some actions of the other two branches

sovereignty

the principle that power rests with the people

separation of powers

the principle that the power of the government should be divided among the several branches of government

naturalization

the process by which other persons from other countries ( called aliens) can become American citizens

due process

the rules established by courts to protect a person's rights

ratify

to approve officially

impeach

to bring charges against an elected official while that official is still in office

amend

to change or add to an official document

reapportion

to redraw voting districts

veto

to refuse to sign a bill