The American party system

Dictatorship

A country with a one party leader who is in complete control usually one who is unfair

Political parties

A group of people organized with a governmental agenda in mind

Dictator

A leader who rules with absolute power usually force

Candidate

A person who desires a position in a political office

Program

A political plan of action

Checks and Balances

A system of regulations that prevents one branch of government from becoming more powerful than other branches

Separation of Powers

A system of separate branches of government the executive legislative and judicial

Partisan

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

Executive

Branch government including the president cabinet and all agencies reporting to the president responsible for managing the federal government

Legislative

Branch of government including congress responsible for creating laws

Judicial

Branch of government including the Supreme Court and state and local officials responsible for interpreting the law

Representative democracies

Democracies where the people elect representatives to act as their agents in making laws

Administration

Executive branch of the American government e.g the Clinton administration

Pardon

Official forgiveness for a crime or offense usually from a governor or the president

Constituency

People of a region who elect a representative who is then amswerable to these people the region itself

provincial

Pertaining to political divisions in Canada regional or territorial

Impeachment

Procedural actions to remove public officials for misbehavior or improper ties while in office

Ballot box

The container into which votes are put

Veto

The power to reject or overrule a decision especially legislation

Cabinet

The president and his executive branch department advisors

Delegate

To entrust tasks or responsibilities to another person