Government Vocabulary Terms
U.S. Constitution
A document that outlines fundamental laws and principles of laws in the
United States.
Limited
Government
One of the seven principles of government- which power is limited by set
Checks &
Balances
One of the seven principles of government – designed to give each
Federalism
One of the seven principles of government – balances powers by
distributing them between one central and many regional governments.
Separation of
Powers
One of the seven principles of government- powers are divided among
Popular
Sovereignty
One of the seven principles of government-that states all political power
Individual Rights
One of the seven principles of government- these are individual rights
guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.
Republicanism
One of the seven principles of government-a form of government where
the people rule through elected representatives.
Bill of Rights
Government document that outlines the civil liberties, or individual rights
that a government promises to protect.
Citizen
a person who is entitled to the states or nations rights and is protected
due to birth or naturalization.
Civic
Responsibilities
citizens of a country have responsibilities to vote in elections, run for
Impeach
to bring charges against a public official.
laws, such as those in a constitution.
branch of government ways to check or restrict the power of the other
two branches.
the different branches of government.
comes from the people.
public office, obeys laws, pay taxes, and get involved in public service
or volunteering projects.
Federal
Government
The national government of the fifty states that make up the U.S.A. It is
State
Government
The government of a particular state in the United States. Guided by the
Local (County)
Government
The government of a particular county in a state (like Harris or Fort Bend)
Municipal (City)
Government
The government of a specific city (like Katy, Houston, Dallas, or Galveston)
Revenue
Government income (most revenue comes from income and property
tax)
Bonds
Certificates that represent money owed by a government to the citizens.
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made up of three branches (legislative, executive, judicial), these branches
are guided by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights
States Constitution and State Bill of Rights also by the U.S. Constitution
For Example: Texas
Follows both Federal and State Constitution/Bill of Rights as well as
laws specific to that county.
Responsible for the administration of the city. Must follow both Federal
and State Constitutions/Bill of Rights as well as County laws and their
particular city’s laws.