Unit Three Word Cards. 1 civics. 2 political scientist. a social scientist who is trained to study government and citizenship

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1 1 civics the study the rights and duties of citizens and of how the government works Example: In order to preserve democracy for future generations, schools in the United States require courses in civics. 3 nation-state a political unit, such as a country, with defined borders, people, sovereignty, and a system of government Example: In political science the term nation-state is often used instead of country. 5 government a system people use to exercise authority, distribute power, and regulate conduct of people Example: Cities, states, and countries all have a government. 7 Constitution the written document that created the system of government for our country Example: Our Constitution describes the power and organization of our government. 2 political scientist a social scientist who is trained to study government and citizenship Example: Political scientists study the structure and functions of government. 4 sovereignty having power and authority over the people who reside within a defined area Example: Sovereignty is one of the characteristics of a nation-state. 6 public services services provided by a government such as education Example: One of the common purposes of government is to provide public services. 8 Preamble the introduction to our Constitution Example: Our Constitution begins with a Preamble which explains the purposes of our federal government. Unit 3: Civics, Government, and Global Politics WORD CARDS 1

2 9 republic a government where people hold the power of government and choose leaders to make laws and decisions for them Example: Our government is a republic. 11 limited government the government s power over its citizens is restricted by laws or a constitution Example: Limited government means the government can t just do whatever it wants. 13 separation of powers power is separated, or divided, among different branches of government Example: Separation of power helps to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. 15 democracy rule by the people or a government in which many people are able to participate and is based on the idea of majority rule Example: Many national governments are democracies. 10 popular sovereignty the power and authority of the government comes from the people Example: Popular sovereignty is an important core democratic value. 12 federalism power is divided and shared between the federal government and state governments Example: Federalism helps to limit the power of government. 14 checks and balances the way in which the different branches of government keep each other from having too much power Example: A veto is an example of the concept of checks and balances. 16 representative democracy a form of democracy where people elect representatives and give them the power to make laws and decisions Example: Countries with a lot of people elect a few citizens to make the decisions in a representative democracy. Unit 3: Civics, Government, and Global Politics WORD CARDS 2

3 17 autocracy a form of government where one person has unlimited power Example: The country was an autocracy since the king had complete power. 19 dictatorship a form of government where a single person has unlimited power and uses force or threat of force to keep power Example: The government of North Korea is a dictatorship. 21 hereditary succession someone in the family of the ruler takes over when he or she dies or gives up power Example: Due to hereditary succession, it is easy to determine who will take the queen s place when she steps off her throne. 23 constitutional monarchy a form of government where a constitution limits the monarch s power and guarantees citizens some rights Example: The United Kingdom and Japan are constitutional monarchies. 18 oligarchy rule by a small group of people Example: The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle used the term oligarchy to refer to a small group of greedy rulers. 20 monarch a ruler such as a king or queen who usually inherits the position Example: Monarchs are not elected to be leaders. 22 absolute monarchy a form of government with a monarch who has complete political power Example: Saudi Arabia has an absolute monarchy. 24 theocracy a form of government in which a country is ruled by religious leaders Example: The Islamic states ruled by Sharia law and the Iranian govenrment led by an Islamic cleric are examples of theocracies in the 21 st century. Unit 3: Civics, Government, and Global Politics WORD CARDS 3

4 25 presidential system a form of democracy where citizens elect both a legislature and an executive Example: Our form of democracy has a presidential system. 27 freedom the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action Example: Africans lost their freedom when they were captured and brought to America as slaves. 29 political rights rights individuals have that enable them to take part in self-governing Example: Political rights include the right to vote in a free and fair election. 26 parliamentary system a form of democracy where citizens elect a legislature and the executive is then selected by the legislature Example: The United Kingdom and Canada both have parliamentary systems. 28 economic freedom the liberty to choose how to produce, sell, and use your own resources, while respecting others rights to do the same. Example: Economic freedom is an important idea for capitalist societies. 30 civil liberties basic rights and freedoms granted to citizens of a country through law Example: Civil Liberties include freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Unit 3: Civics, Government, and Global Politics WORD CARDS 4

5 31 corruption dishonest actions by those in power Example: When leaders take bribes, there is corruption in the government. 33 independent judiciary a judicial system that is independent from other parts, or branches, of the government Example: An independent judiciary helps provide for impartial judges. 35 treaty an official agreement made between two or more countries Example: The Antarctica Treaty was negotiated to try and protect the continent. 37 diplomatic exchanges international visits in which government officials seek to build understanding and trust Example: The diplomatic exchanges were needed to lay a foundation of trust for treaty negotiations. 32 rule of law the principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to the laws in a nation Example: According to the rule of law, government leaders must follow the laws also 34 transparency a government s obligation to openly share information with citizens Example: Transparency means a government lets citizens honestly know how their tax dollars are being used. 36 negotiate to discuss something formally in order to reach an agreement Example: Countries negotiate in order to create treaties. 38 cultural exchanges the exchange or interaction of students, artists, athletes and others between two or more countries to promote mutual understanding Example: The Olympic Games are an example of a worldwide cultural exchange that takes place every four years. Unit 3: Civics, Government, and Global Politics WORD CARDS 5

6 39 humanitarian aid actions designed to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain and protect human dignity during and in the aftermath of man-made crises and natural disasters, as well as to prevent and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situations Example: The Red Cross provides humanitarian aid in disaster torn regions. 40 international governmental organization nations, through treaties and agreements, can create international governmental organizations to address and manage common issues Example: The United Nations and the European Union are two examples of international governmental organizations. 41 non-governmental organization nonprofit voluntary citizens groups, organized on a local, national, or international level, and are focused on particular issues such as human rights, environmental, or poverty issues Example: The Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are two examples of nongovernmental organizations. Unit 3: Civics, Government, and Global Politics WORD CARDS 6