change, improvement, or addition that is made to a law or document, or the process of doing this
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Term
2. Aristocracy
In an aristocratic government only the most wealthy and high ranking have a say in what goes on.
Definition
A government in which power is in the hands of a hereditary ruling class or nobility
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Term
3. Checks and Balances
Checks and Balances make sure that the branches of the government stay equal in power.
Definition
from Montesquieu, a fundamental democratic principle of American government which ensures that one branch does not accumulate too much power
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Term
4. Constitutionalism
America believes heavily on constitutionalism.
Definition
the belief that a government should be based on a constitution
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5. Democracy
A democracy is a type of government that allows the people to have a say in what goes on.
Definition
a system of government in which every citizen in the country can vote to elect its government officials
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Term
6. Direct Democracy
In a direct democracy the people vote directly on the laws.
Definition
A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives
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Term
7. Executive
The Executive Branch consists of the President, Vice President, the cabinet, and other high ranking officials.
Definition
the part of government that makes sure decisions and laws work well[image]
Term
8. Federalism
Federalism allows for states to have their own personal laws and power.
Definition
belief in or support for a federal system of government
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Term
9. Indirect Democracy
In an indirect democracy, the people appoint judges to pass laws and legislation for them
Definition
Form of democracy in which individuals are represented by appointed representatives.
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Term
10. Judicial
The judicial branch ratifies laws.
Definition
relating to the law, judges, or their decisions
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Term
11. Judicial Review
The supreme court judicially reviews laws to make sure they follow the constitution.
Definition
power of courts to review decisions of another department or level of government
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Term
12. Legislative
The legislative branch of the US Government makes and changes the laws of the land.
Definition
an institution that has the power to make or change laws
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Term
13. Limited Power
Limited power keeps the government from becoming tyrannical.
Definition
a type of government in which its functions and powers are prescribed, limited, and restricted by law
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Term
14. Monarchy
Monarchies were very popular in the past.
Definition
A government ruled by a king or queen
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Term
15. Oligarchy
Oligarchies are unfair for the majority of citizens.
Definition
a small group of people who run a country or organization, or a country that is run by a small group of people
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Term
16. Popular Sovereignty
Popularsovereignty allows the people's voices to be heard.
Definition
basic principle of the American system of government which asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power, and government can exist only with the consent of the governed
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Term
17.Preamble
Both the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence contain a preamble.
Definition
a statement at the beginning of a book, document, or talk, explaining what it is about
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Term
18. Ratify
The government has the ability to ratify the constitution.
Definition
to make a written agreement official by signing it
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Term
19. Republic
America is a form of a Republic
Definition
A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
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Term
20. Seperation of Powers
SeparationofPowers limits the governments power.
Definition
division of governmental authority among the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial branch. The US Constitution uses this principle in setting the presidency, the Congress, and the courts
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Term
21. Tyranny
To keep the people free, we must resist tyranny.
Definition
cruel or unfair control over other people and/or cruel and unfair government
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Term
22. U.S Bill Of Rights
The U.SBillofRights contains the first ten amendments of the constitution.
Definition
a written statement of the most important rights of the citizens of a country, part of the U.S. Constitution
