American Government Comprehensive Exam Prep
With Key Concepts and Strategies to Ace Your Test
Government
The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
Constitution
a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other
organization is acknowledged to be governed.
Confederation
A joining of several groups for a common purpose.
Popular Sovereignty
a government that exists only with the consent of the governed
free enterprise system
an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods
Bicameral
an adjective describing a legislative body composed of two chambers
Unicameral
An adjective describing a legislative body with one chamber
Ratification
Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or
treaty
Unconstitutional
contrary to constitutional provision and so illegal, null and void, of no force and effect
Electoral College
, group of persons chosen in each state and the district of columbia every four years who make a formal
selection of the president and vice president
Amendment
A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law
Federalism
A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national,
government and several regional governments
division of powers
basic principle of federalism; the constitutional provisions by which governmental powers are divided on
a geographic basis
Partisans
lawmakers who owe their first allegiance to their political party and vote according to the party line
Politicos
lawmakers who attempt to balance the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles
Bills
a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration
session
period each year during which Congress assembles and conducts business
special session
an extraordinary session of a legislative body, called to deal with an emergency situation
single-member district
electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office
Gerrymandering
the drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group
off-year election
congressional election that occurs between presidential election years
Executive Departments
Traditional units of federal administration
Jurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear a case
With Key Concepts and Strategies to Ace Your Test
Government
The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
Constitution
a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other
organization is acknowledged to be governed.
Confederation
A joining of several groups for a common purpose.
Popular Sovereignty
a government that exists only with the consent of the governed
free enterprise system
an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods
Bicameral
an adjective describing a legislative body composed of two chambers
Unicameral
An adjective describing a legislative body with one chamber
Ratification
Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or
treaty
Unconstitutional
contrary to constitutional provision and so illegal, null and void, of no force and effect
Electoral College
, group of persons chosen in each state and the district of columbia every four years who make a formal
selection of the president and vice president
Amendment
A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law
Federalism
A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national,
government and several regional governments
division of powers
basic principle of federalism; the constitutional provisions by which governmental powers are divided on
a geographic basis
Partisans
lawmakers who owe their first allegiance to their political party and vote according to the party line
Politicos
lawmakers who attempt to balance the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles
Bills
a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration
session
period each year during which Congress assembles and conducts business
special session
an extraordinary session of a legislative body, called to deal with an emergency situation
single-member district
electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office
Gerrymandering
the drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group
off-year election
congressional election that occurs between presidential election years
Executive Departments
Traditional units of federal administration
Jurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear a case
