Basic Government Vocabulary
This is the vocabulary I required my students to learn. It is first listed in alphabetical order and then
I have separated it into general categories.
absentee voting: voting by those unable to get to their regular polling places on election day
affirmative action: requires that most employers take positive steps to remedy the effects of past
discriminations
appropriations: money set aside or budgeted by Congress for a particular use
bail: a sum of money that the accused may be required to post as a guarantee that he or she will
appear in court at the proper time
ballot: the device by which a voter registers a choice in an election
bench trial: judge alone hears the case
bicameral: having two houses or legislative chambers
bill of attainder: a legislative act that inflicts punishment without a court trial
Bill of Rights: first ten amendments to the Constitution
bond: an interest-bearing certificate issued by a government redeemable on a specific date
bureaucracy: a large complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an
organization
capital punishment: punishment by death
capitalism: economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately
owned and operated for profit
caucus: a group of people who meet to select the candidates they will support in an upcoming
election
center: refers to intermediate views between the right and left, this is the middle of the political
spectrum
civil case: a case involving a noncriminal matter such as a contract dispute or a claim of patent
infringement
civil service: those civilian employees who perform the administrative work of government
closed primary: a party nominating election in which only declared party members can vote
commander in chief: commander of the nation’s armed forces
concurrent powers: powers that both the National Government and the States possess and
exercise
Congress: the legislative branch of the National Government
conservative: seeks to keep in place the economic, political, and social structures of society
constituencies: the people and interests that an elected official represents
constitution: the body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a
government
content neutral: government cannot regulate assemblies on the basis of what might be said there
convention: a formal gathering of delegates for political purposes
criminal case: a defendant is tried for committing a crime as defined by law
custom duty: a tax laid on goods brought into the United States from abroad, also known as tariffs,
import duties, or imposts
decentralized: dividing authority between several smaller groups
1
Basic Government Vocabulary
defendant: the person whom the complaint is against
deficit: the yearly shortfall between revenue and spending
delegate: a person who is empowered to represent a larger group
delegated powers: the National (federal) Government has only those powers delegated (granted) to
it in the Constitution
democracy: government power rests with the majority of the people; supreme authority rests with
the people
dictatorship: government powers held by a single person or by a small group; those who rule
cannot be held responsible to the will of the people
direct primary: an intra-party election
discrimination: bias, unfairness
dissenting opinion: written by those justices who do not agree with the Court’s majority decision
district: the area served by a member of the House of Representatives
Due Process Clauses: found in the 5th and 14th amendments – Federal and State governments
cannot deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
electoral college: the group of people chosen from each State and the District of Columbia to
formally select the President and Vice President
electorate: the potential voting population
entitlement: benefit that must be paid to all those who meet the eligibility requirements
equal protection clause: forbids the States and their local governments to draw unreasonable
distinctions between any classes of persons
Establishment Clause: prohibits Congress from the establishment of religion
estate tax: a levy imposed on the assets of one who dies
ex post facto law: a law applied to an act committed before its passage
excise tax: a tax laid on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of goods and/or the performance of
services
exclusionary rule: evidence gained as the result of an illegal act by police cannot be used at the
trial of the person from whom it was seized
exclusive powers: powers that can be exercised by the National Government alone
executive order: a directive, rule, or regulation that has the effect of law
executive power: the power to execute, enforce, and administer laws
expressed powers: powers granted to Congress explicitly in the Constitution
extradition: The legal process by which a fugitive from justice in one State is returned to that State
franchise: right to vote
Free Exercise Clause: guarantees to each person the right to believe whatever he or she chooses to
believe in matters of religion
full faith and credit clause: Constitution’s requirement that each State accept the public acts,
records and judicial proceedings of every other State
gender gap: measurable differences between the partisan choices of men and women
general election: regularly scheduled elections at which voters make the final selection of
officeholders
2
Basic Government Vocabulary
gerrymandering: district being drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls the
State’s legislature
government: the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
grand jury: the formal device by which a person can be accused of a serious crime
grass roots: of or from the people, the average voters
impeach: to accuse, bring charges
implied powers: powers granted to Congress by reasonable deduction from the expressed powers
income tax: a tax levied on the income of individuals and/or corporations
incorporation: the process by which a State establishes a city as a legal body
independents: people who have no party affiliation
indictment: formal complaint that the prosecutor lays before a grand jury
initiative: The right and procedure by which citizens can propose a law by petition which then
goes directly to the ballot
interest group: a group of people drawn or acting together in support of a common interest or to
voice a common concern and often try to influence the actions of government
interest: a charge for borrowed money, generally a percentage of the amount borrowed
interstate compacts: formal agreement entered into with the consent of Congress, between or
among States, or between a State and a foreign state
judicial power: the power to interpret laws, to determine their meaning, and to settle disputes that
arise within the society
jurisdiction: the authority of a court to hear a case
left: refers to the liberal side of the political spectrum
legislative power: the power to make law and to frame public policies
libel: false and malicious use of printed words
liberal: believes that government must take action to change economic, political, and ideological
policies thought to be unfair
lobbying: those activities by which group pressures are brought to bear on legislators and the
legislative process
loose constructionists: favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution, a broad interpretation of
the powers given to Congress
majority opinion: announces the Supreme Court’s decision in a case and sets out the reasoning on
which it is based
mass media: those means of communication that reach large, widely dispersed audiences
simultaneously
minor party: one of the many political parties without wide voter support, also referred to as a
third party
Miranda Rule: requires that police must read to a suspect hers/his constitutional rights before
questioning can occur
moderate: holds beliefs that fall between liberal and conservative views, usually including some of
both
municipal: having to do with a city or town, or its local government
3
Basic Government Vocabulary
necessary and proper clause: the constitutional basis for the implied powers – it allows Congress
to make laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying out the expressed powers – it is often
called the “elastic clause” because it allows for a stretching of Congresses expressed powers
nomination: the naming of those who will seek office
nonpartisan election: elections in which candidates are not identified by party labels
off-year election: congressional elections held in the even-numbered years between presidential
elections
open primary: a party nominating election in which any qualified voter can take part
opinion leader: any person who, for any reason, has an unusually strong influence on the views of
others
ordinance: a municipal statue or regulation
PAC: political arm of special interest groups with a major stake in public policy
pardon: legal forgiveness of a crime
partisan: a strong supporter of a party and it’s policy stands
payroll tax: a tax imposed on nearly all employers and their employees, and on self-employed
persons – the amounts owed by employees is withheld from their paychecks
peer groups: made up of the people with whom one regularly associates, including friends,
classmates, neighbors, and co-workers
petit jury: trial jury
plaintiff: the person who files suit
platform: a public statement of the principles, objectives, and policy of a political party
police power: the authority of each State to act to protect and promote the public health, safety,
morals, and general welfare
political action committee: the political arms of special-interest groups with a major stake in
public policy
political party: a group of persons who seek to control government through winning of elections
and the holding of public office
political socialization: the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions
politics: the process by which a society decides how power and resources will be distributed within
that society
polling place: the place where the voters who live in a precinct actually vote
precedent: example to be followed in similar cases as they arise in the lower courts or reach the
Supreme Court
precinct: a voting district
President: chief executive of the United States – head of the executive branch
preventative detention: a law which allows a federal judge to order the accused be held, without
bail, when there is good reason to believe that he or she will commit another crime before trial
prior restraint: the government cannot curb ideas before they are expressed
privileges and immunities clause: no State can draw unreasonable distinctions between its own
residents and those persons who happen to live in other States
probable cause: reasonable suspicion of crime
procedural due process: the government must employ fair procedures and methods – the “how”
4
Basic Government Vocabulary
progressive tax: a type of tax proportionate to income
propaganda: a technique of persuasion aimed at influencing individual or group behaviors
property tax: a tax levied on personal property and real property
public debt: all the money borrowed by the government and not yet repaid, plus the accrued
interest on that money
public opinion: those attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government
and politics
public policy: all of those things a government decides to do
reapportion: redistribute
referendum: a process by which a legislative measure is referred to the State’s voters for final
approval or rejection
regressive tax: a tax levied at a flat rate, without regard to the level of a taxpayer’s income or
ability to pay them
republic: political power is exercised by representatives chosen by and held responsible to those
citizens
reserved powers: powers that the Constitution does not grant to the national government and does
not, at the same time, deny to the states
right of privacy: the right to be free, except in very limited circumstances, from unwanted
governmental intrusions into one’s privacy
right: refers to the conservative side of the political spectrum
sales tax: a tax on receipts from sales, usually added to the selling price by the seller
search warrant: a court order authorizing a search
seditious speech: advocating or urging for the overthrow of government
slander: false and malicious use of spoken words
social contract: people agreed to give up to the state as much power as was needed to promote the
safety and well-being of all
socialism: theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and
control of the means of production and distribution in the community as a whole
sovereign: has supreme and absolute power within its own territory
split-ticket voting: the practice of voting for the candidates of more than one party in an election
statutory law: a law passed by the legislature
straight-ticket voting: the practice of voting for candidates of only one party in an election
strict constructionists: argued that Congress should only be able to exercise its expressed powers
and only those implied powers absolutely necessary to carry out those expressed powers
subsidy: grant of money
substantive due process: the government must create fair policies and laws – the “what”
suffrage: right to vote
supremacy clause: establishes the Constitution and United States laws as the “supreme Law of the
Land.”
Supreme Court: highest court in the United States
surplus: more income than spending
5
Basic Government Vocabulary
symbolic speech: expression by conduct – communicating ideas through facial expressions, body
language, or by carrying a sign or wearing an arm band
treaty: a formal agreement between two or more sovereign states
writ of habeas corpus: a court order which prevents unjust arrests and imprisonments
zoning: the practice of dividing a city into a number of districts and regulating the uses to which
property in each of them may be put
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Branches of Government
Congress: the legislative branch of the National Government
President: chief executive of the United States – head of the executive branch
Supreme Court: highest court in the United States
Checks & Balances
expressed powers: powers granted to Congress explicitly in the Constitution
implied powers: powers granted to Congress by reasonable deduction from the expressed powers
strict constructionists: argued that Congress should only be able to exercise its expressed powers
and only those implied powers absolutely necessary to carry out those expressed powers
loose constructionists: favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution, a broad interpretation of
the powers given to Congress
necessary and proper clause: the constitutional basis for the implied powers – it allows Congress
to make laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying out the expressed powers – it is often
called the “elastic clause” because it allows for a stretching of Congresses expressed powers
impeach: to accuse, bring charges
executive order: a directive, rule, or regulation that has the effect of law
treaty: a formal agreement between two or more sovereign states
pardon: legal forgiveness of a crime
commander in chief: commander of the nation’s armed forces
bureaucracy: a large complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an
organization
civil service: those civilian employees who perform the administrative work of government
Civil Liberties – First Amendment
Bill of Rights: first ten amendments to the Constitution
Due Process Clauses: found in the 5th and 14th amendments – Federal and State governments
cannot deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
Establishment Clause: prohibits Congress from the establishment of religion
Free Exercise Clause: guarantees to each person the right to believe whatever he or she chooses to
believe in matters of religion
libel: false and malicious use of printed words
slander: false and malicious use of spoken words
seditious speech: advocating or urging for the overthrow of government
prior restraint: the government cannot curb ideas before they are expressed
6
Basic Government Vocabulary
symbolic speech: expression by conduct – communicating ideas through facial expressions, body
language, or by carrying a sign or wearing an arm band
content neutral: government cannot regulate assemblies on the basis of what might be said there
Civil Liberties – Individual Rights
substantive due process: the government must create fair policies and laws – the “what”
procedural due process: the government must employ fair procedures and methods – the “how”
police power: the authority of each State to act to protect and promote the public health, safety,
morals, and general welfare
right of privacy: the right to be free, except in very limited circumstances, from unwanted
governmental intrusions into one’s privacy
search warrant: a court order authorizing a search
probable cause: reasonable suspicion of crime
exclusionary rule: evidence gained as the result of an illegal act by police cannot be used at the
trial of the person from whom it was seized
writ of habeas corpus: a court order which prevents unjust arrests and imprisonments
bill of attainder: a legislative act that inflicts punishment without a court trial
ex post facto law: a law applied to an act committed before its passage
grand jury: the formal device by which a person can be accused of a serious crime
indictment: formal complaint that the prosecutor lays before a grand jury
petit jury: trial jury
bench trial: judge alone hears the case
Miranda Rule: requires that police must read to a suspect hers/his constitutional rights before
questioning can occur
bail: a sum of money that the accused may be required to post as a guarantee that he or she will
appear in court at the proper time
preventative detention: a law which allows a federal judge to order the accused be held, without
bail, when there is good reason to believe that he or she will commit another crime before trial
capital punishment: punishment by death
Civil Rights
discrimination: bias, unfairness
equal protection clause: forbids the States and their local governments to draw unreasonable
distinctions between any classes of persons
affirmative action: requires that most employers take positive steps to remedy the effects of past
discriminations
Electoral Process
nomination: the naming of those who will seek office
general election: regularly scheduled elections at which voters make the final selection of
officeholders
7
Basic Government Vocabulary
caucus: a group of people who meet to select the candidates they will support in an upcoming
election
convention: a formal gathering of delegates for political purposes
delegate: a person who is empowered to represent a larger group
direct primary: an intra-party election
closed primary: a party nominating election in which only declared party members can vote
open primary: a party nominating election in which any qualified voter can take part
nonpartisan election: elections in which candidates are not identified by party labels
absentee voting: voting by those unable to get to their regular polling places on election day
precinct: a voting district
polling place: the place where the voters who live in a precinct actually vote
ballot: the device by which a voter registers a choice in an election
PAC: political arm of special interest groups with a major stake in public policy
Federalism
delegated powers: the National (federal) Government has only those powers delegated (granted) to
it in the Constitution
reserved powers: powers that the Constitution does not grant to the national government and does
not, at the same time, deny to the states
exclusive powers: powers that can be exercised by the National Government alone
concurrent powers: powers that both the National Government and the States possess and
exercise
supremacy clause: establishes the Constitution and United States laws as the “supreme Law of the
Land.”
interstate compacts: formal agreement entered into with the consent of Congress, between or
among States, or between a State and a foreign state
full faith and credit clause: Constitution’s requirement that each State accept the public acts,
records and judicial proceedings of every other State
extradition: The legal process by which a fugitive from justice in one State is returned to that State
privileges and immunities clause: no State can draw unreasonable distinctions between its own
residents and those persons who happen to live in other States
statutory law: a law passed by the legislature
initiative: The right and procedure by which citizens can propose a law by petition which then
goes directly to the ballot
referendum: a process by which a legislative measure is referred to the State’s voters for final
approval or rejection
incorporation: the process by which a State establishes a city as a legal body
municipal: having to do with a city or town, or its local government
ordinance: a municipal statue or regulation
zoning: the practice of dividing a city into a number of districts and regulating the uses to which
property in each of them may be put
8
Basic Government Vocabulary
Interest Groups
propaganda: a technique of persuasion aimed at influencing individual or group behaviors
interest group: a group of people drawn or acting together in support of a common interest or to
voice a common concern and often try to influence the actions of government
political action committee: the political arms of special-interest groups with a major stake in
public policy
lobbying: those activities by which group pressures are brought to bear on legislators and the
legislative process
grass roots: of or from the people, the average voters
Political Beginnings: Basic Terms
government: the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
public policy: all of those things a government decides to do
legislative power: the power to make law and to frame public policies
executive power: the power to execute, enforce, and administer laws
judicial power: the power to interpret laws, to determine their meaning, and to settle disputes that
arise within the society
constitution: the body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a
government
dictatorship: government powers held by a single person or by a small group; those who rule
cannot be held responsible to the will of the people
democracy: government power rests with the majority of the people; supreme authority rests with
the people
capitalism: economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately
owned and operated for profit
socialism: theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and
control of the means of production and distribution in the community as a whole
politics: the process by which a society decides how power and resources will be distributed within
that society
sovereign: has supreme and absolute power within its own territory
social contract: people agreed to give up to the state as much power as was needed to promote the
safety and well-being of all
republic: political power is exercised by representatives chosen by and held responsible to those
citizens
Political Parties
political party: a group of persons who seek to control government through winning of elections
and the holding of public office
partisan: a strong supporter of a party and it’s policy stands
platform: a public statement of the principles, objectives, and policy of a political party
conservative: seeks to keep in place the economic, political, and social structures of society
9
Basic Government Vocabulary
liberal: believes that government must take action to change economic, political, and ideological
policies thought to be unfair
right: refers to the conservative side of the political spectrum
left: refers to the liberal side of the political spectrum
center: refers to intermediate views between the right and left, this is the middle of the political
spectrum
moderate: holds beliefs that fall between liberal and conservative views, usually including some of
both
decentralized: dividing authority between several smaller groups
minor party: one of the many political parties without wide voter support, also referred to as a
third party
Public Opinion
public opinion: those attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government
and politics
mass media: those means of communication that reach large, widely dispersed audiences
simultaneously
peer groups: made up of the people with whom one regularly associates, including friends,
classmates, neighbors, and co-workers
opinion leader: any person who, for any reason, has an unusually strong influence on the views of
others
Separation of Powers
bicameral: having two houses or legislative chambers
reapportion: redistribute
district: the area served by a member of the House of Representatives
gerrymandering: district being drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls the
State’s legislature
constituencies: the people and interests that an elected official represents
electoral college: the group of people chosen from each State and the District of Columbia to
formally select the President and Vice President
jurisdiction: the authority of a court to hear a case
plaintiff: the person who files suit
defendant: the person whom the complaint is against
criminal case: a defendant is tried for committing a crime as defined by law
civil case: a case involving a noncriminal matter such as a contract dispute or a claim of patent
infringement
majority opinion: announces the Supreme Court’s decision in a case and sets out the reasoning on
which it is based
dissenting opinion: written by those justices who do not agree with the Court’s majority decision
precedent: example to be followed in similar cases as they arise in the lower courts or reach the
Supreme Court
10
Basic Government Vocabulary
Taxes & Budget
progressive tax: a type of tax proportionate to income
regressive tax: a tax levied at a flat rate, without regard to the level of a taxpayer’s income or
ability to pay them
interest: a charge for borrowed money, generally a percentage of the amount borrowed
deficit: the yearly shortfall between revenue and spending
surplus: more income than spending
public debt: all the money borrowed by the government and not yet repaid, plus the accrued
interest on that money
entitlement: benefit that must be paid to all those who meet the eligibility requirements
appropriations: money set aside or budgeted by Congress for a particular use
bond: an interest-bearing certificate issued by a government redeemable on a specific date
Federal Taxes
income tax: a tax levied on the income of individuals and/or corporations
payroll tax: a tax imposed on nearly all employers and their employees, and on selfemployed persons – the amounts owed by employees is withheld from their paychecks
excise tax: a tax laid on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of goods and/or the
performance of services
estate tax: a levy imposed on the assets of one who dies
custom duty: a tax laid on goods brought into the United States from abroad, also known
as tariffs, import duties, or imposts
State & Local Taxes
income tax: a tax levied on the income of individuals and/or corporations
sales tax: a tax on receipts from sales, usually added to the selling price by the seller
property tax: a tax levied on personal property and real property
income tax: a tax levied on the income of individuals and/or corporations
Voter Behavior
suffrage: right to vote
franchise: right to vote
electorate: the potential voting population
off-year election: congressional elections held in the even-numbered years between presidential
elections
political socialization: the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions
gender gap: measurable differences between the partisan choices of men and women
straight-ticket voting: the practice of voting for candidates of only one party in an election
split-ticket voting: the practice of voting for the candidates of more than one party in an election
independents: people who have no party affiliation
11